The BBC has apologised after one of its journalists asked the Morocco women’s football team captain an “inappropriate” question about gay football players.
Ghizlane Chebbak was taking part in a pre-match press conference ahead of Morocco’s World Cup game against Germany on Monday when the incident happened.
In a clip of the exchange, a BBC journalist asks her: “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?”
Chebbak, a forward for ASFAR when not playing for Morocco women’s national team, can be seen frowning before removing her earpiece following the question.
Off-camera, a Fifa media officer interrupts to say: “Sorry, this is a very political question. So we’ll just stick to questions related to football, please.”
Chebbak puts her head in her hand and shakes her head, laughing as she exchanges a glance with coach Reynald Pedros who is seated beside her.
The BBC reporter then protests, saying: “No, it’s not political. No, no, no - it’s about people, it’s got nothing to do with politics. Please let her answer the question.”
Laws that discriminate against women and LGBTQ+ individuals remain in place in Morocco. Acts between members of the same sex, referred to as “sexual deviancy”, are punishable with up to three years in prison, according to Human Rights Watch.
A BBC spokesperson said on Tuesday: “We recognise that the question was inappropriate. We had no intention to cause any harm or distress.”
CBS sports journalist Shireen Ahmed, who was at the press conference, described the reporter’s question as “completely out of line”.
“This isn’t an issue of journalistic freedom,” she wrote on Twitter. “You can inquire about social laws in different places without endangering people. Journalists have an obligation to be fair, accurate and practice with care. If reporting harms someone, it is not only unethical but dangerous.”
