Backlash after BBC Reporter Asks about Moroccan Women's Soccer Players' Sexuality

A BBC reporter prompted shock and outrage by asking about the sexuality of players on the Moroccan women's soccer team. The BBC has since issued an apology.

CNN reported that at a July 23 press conference "ahead of Morocco's Women's World Cup opener against Germany," the unidentified reporter noted that "In Morocco, it's illegal to have a gay relationship," and asked the captain of the Moroccan women's soccer team, Ghizlane Chebbak, "Do you have any gay players in your squad and what's life like for them in Morocco?"

The moderator swiftly intervened, telling the reporter that the question was "political" and asking that the topic remain centered on soccer.

The reporter pushed back, saying, "No, it's not political. It's about people, it's got nothing to do with politics. Please let her answer the question."

"In response to the question, Chebbak winced, removed her ear piece and looked to her coach, Reynald Pedros, before laughing," UK newspaper the Guardian relayed.

Other media people present in the room reacted with "audible" shock, UK newspaper the Daily Mail reported.

That shock soon spilled out onto social media, with Steph Yang, a reporter with The Athletic, tweeting, "From a harm reduction perspective, this is not an appropriate question for a player and would have endangered the players themselves."

Yang added: "We are obviously going to talk about the intersection of politics and sports at this World Cup, and it's vital to do so. But we should take care that our questions don't cause further harm to those impacted by those very politics."

CBC Sports journalist Shireen Ahmed declared that the reporter was "completely out of line" in a tweet of her own.

"You can inquire about social laws in different places without endangering people," Ahmed added. "Journalists have an obligation to be fair, accurate and practice with care. If reporting harms someone, it is not only unethical but dangerous."

The BBC offered its apologies on July 25, the Guardian relayed, with a spokesperson saying, "We recognize that the question was inappropriate. We had no intention to cause any harm or distress."

Chebbak kept her own comments on-message, saying, "We are honored to be the first Arab country to take part in the Women's World Cup," before going on to add: "This is a great milestone for us and we hope that our match with Germany tomorrow will pave the way for other matches."

In the event, that match – which took place July 24 – saw Germany route Morocco 6-0.

The Guardian took note of FIFA's recent attempt to forge a deal with another country where LGBTQ+ people are criminalized.

"Before the tournament, which kicked off in Australia and New Zealand last week, football federations, human rights organizations and players decried a potential sponsorship deal for the tournament between Fifa and Saudi Arabia's tourism authority," the report said. "While the Saudi sponsorship deal later fell through, Fifa banned players from wearing a OneLove armband or rainbow armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights."

"The rules are a continuation of the regulations from the men's World Cup last year in Qatar," another nation where LGBTQ+ people can also be prosecuted for same-sex relationships.