BBC admits asking ‘inappropriate’ query to Morocco captain at Women’s World Cup
The BBC has admitted asking an “inappropriate” query about sexuality to the Moroccan captain on the Women’s World Cup.
A journalist – reported to be from the BBC’s World Service – has confronted criticism after quizzing Ghizlane Chebbak on whether or not there have been any homosexual gamers in her squad, with same-sex relationships unlawful within the north African nation.
The unnamed male reporter requested the 32-year-old footballer throughout a news convention in Melbourne: “In Morocco it’s illegal to have a gay relationship, do you have any gay players in your squad and what’s life like for them in Morocco?”
A FIFA media consultant warned the journalist: “Sorry this is a very political question so we will just stick to questions related to football please.”
But the reporter responded: “No, no, it’s not political, it’s about people, it’s nothing to do with politics, please let her answer.”
In an announcement despatched to Sky News, the BBC stated: “We recognise that the question was inappropriate. We had no intention to cause any harm or distress.”
Chebbak appeared visibly uncomfortable following the query, with critics suggesting the “unethical” query was “completely out of line” and “poses safety concerns” to the gamers.
Pic: AP
Sports journalist Shireen Ahmed, who was current on the convention, stated the BBC reporter was “completely out of line”.
“Harm reduction matters and posing the question to the captain or coach was unnecessary,” she tweeted.
“The question was waived off by a FIFA media officer moderating but it shouldn’t have been asked.”
She added: “Asking a player about her teammates and whether they are gay and how it affects them when you know it is not permissible is bizarre and out of line.
“The captain can’t out gamers or touch upon coverage [because] it might be harmful for them, too.”
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Chebbak is captain of the Moroccon staff. Pic: AP
A social media channel known as SHE Scores Bangers, which covers girls’s soccer content material and shared a video of the convention, additionally criticised the BBC journalist’s method.
“The uneducated assumption feeding into the stereotype ‘all women’s football players are gay’ this journalist expressed is mind-boggling and should be refuted from the sport,” the channel stated.
“Show me a clip where the Moroccan men’s national team got asked such at their World Cup – there isn’t.
“‘Do you might have any homosexual gamers in your squad?’ is a query I’m dying to know what reply he anticipated for and if there was a single additional thought on the affect this could have, only a single thought.”
The channel also hit out at the BBC journalist’s response that the question was “about folks”, adding: “The ones you have been going to hazard?”