The BBC has issued an apology after a reporter questioned the captain of the Moroccan women’s football team about gay rights in the country and asked if there were any gay players on the squad. The incident took place during a press conference before the team’s Women’s World Cup match against Germany on Monday.
The reporter opened the line of questioning by stating, “In Morocco it’s illegal to have a gay relationship,” before asking Captain Ghizlane Chebbak if there were any gay players in her squad and what life is like for them in Morocco. Chebbak did not answer the question and instead turned to her coach for guidance. The situation was further complicated when a FIFA official intervened, calling the question “very political” and asking that the conversation stick to sport.
However, the reporter insisted, stating, “No, it’s not political, it’s about people. Please let her answer the question.” Despite the reporter’s persistence, Chebbak declined to comment on the matter.
The BBC’s line of questioning was widely condemned by other journalists. Sports writer Shireen Ahmed, who was present at the press conference, tweeted, “The reporter was completely out of line…You can inquire about social laws in different places without endangering people.” Many felt that the reporter’s questions were inappropriate and had the potential to put the players in a difficult and potentially dangerous situation.
Recognizing the controversy, the BBC issued an apology the following day. A spokesperson for the network stated, “We recognize that the question was inappropriate. We had no intention to cause any harm or distress.” The network acknowledged that the line of questioning was not suitable and expressed regret for any harm caused.
In Morocco, engaging in “lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex” is illegal and can result in a fine of $122 or a prison sentence of up to three years. Same-sex relationships are not recognized, and the government permits one gay rights organization to operate discreetly. The country’s laws regarding homosexuality are derived from traditional Islamic morality, and Muslims make up 99% of the Moroccan population.
This incident is not the first LGBTQ-related controversy to arise during this year’s Women’s World Cup. Earlier in the tournament, FIFA terminated a sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia’s state tourism board due to outcry from LGBTQ campaigners over the kingdom’s restrictions on women’s rights and prohibition of homosexuality.
The incident with the BBC reporter highlights the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights worldwide and the importance of respectful and responsible journalism. It serves as a reminder that reporters must be cautious and considerate when addressing sensitive topics that could potentially put individuals at risk.
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