25 July 2023 , 08:28
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The BBC has issued an apology following their “inappropriate” questioning of the Morocco captain at the Women's World Cup.
This situation arose during their pre-match press conference ahead of their opening match against Germany. A reporter from the BBC News World Service asked Ghizlane Chebbak a question that could impact her teammate's safety back home, asking: “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 press conference moderator interrupted: “Sorry, this is a very political question, so we’ll just stick to questions relating to football."
The journalist, unrepentant however, hit back: “No, it’s not political, it’s about people, it’s got nothing to do with politics. Please let her answer the question.”
The press conference duly concluded with only one further question from the media.
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It is the first time an Arab country has ever qualified for the Women's World Cup. In Morocco, same-sex relationships for both men and women are illegal, with homosexuality punishable by up to three years in prison.
According to Human Rights Watch, Morocco punishes same-sex conduct with up to three years imprisonment and fines that deviate between 120-1,000 dirhams (£25 - £212).
The BBC have now seen fit to apologise for the line of questioning. A BBC statement said: “We recognise that the question was inappropriate. We had no intention to cause any harm or distress.”
The Atlas Lionesses, as Morocco's women's team are known, suffered a 6-0 loss to Germany in their opening game. They now head into their second group game on July 30 against South Korea.