A FIFA representative has closed a shocking question at a press conference for the Women’s World Cup that “endangered” Moroccan players by asking if there were any gays.
Morocco, which is almost exclusively Muslim, is the first Arab country to ever qualify for the tournament.
Defender Nouhaila Benzina will make history when she becomes the first player to wear a headscarf in a senior women’s football tournament.
But those groundbreaking players may well have been ‘endangered’ by a rogue BBC reporter who asked captain Ghizlane Chebbak at Sunday’s press conference if there were gay players in the squad.
Given that same-sex relationships are illegal for both men and women in Morocco, and homosexuality is punishable by up to three years in prison, it was a question that stunned those present.
Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak was unimpressed after a reporter asked her if there were gay players on the team. Homosexuality is illegal in the North African country
Nouhaila Benzina becomes the first player to wear a headscarf at a Women’s World Cup
Moroccan stars Fatima Tagnaout (left) and Ghizlane Chhiri (centre) view Melbourne Rectangular Stadium ahead of their tournament opener against Germany
A disappointed Chebbak waved the question off. The FIFA moderator quickly shut down the reporter, but for many pundits the damage was already done.
The Moroccan media present were audibly shocked by the question, said The athleticwith journalist Steph Yang scathing about which one endangers players’ safety.
“A reporter here directly asked if there are gay players in the Moroccan squad, as same-sex relationships are illegal in Morocco,” she wrote. Twitter.
“From a damage control point of view, this is not an appropriate question for a player and would have put the players themselves at risk.
“We’re obviously going to talk about the intersection of politics and sport at this World Cup, and it’s essential to do that.
“But we must ensure that our questions do not cause further harm to those affected by those same policies.
Moroccan players, including Nouhaila Benzina, center, training in Melbourne ahead of the tournament’s opener
Ghizlane Chebbak brushed off the shocking question before a FIFA moderator silenced the reporter
CBC Islamic journalist from Canada, Shireen Ahmed, also objected to the question.
“The reporter was completely out of line. Harm reduction matters and asking the captain or coach the question was not necessary. The question was waved off by a FIFA media official moderating, but it should not have been asked,” she noted.
The reaction to the shocking question was swift and fierce in the media world.
‘That’s why we advocate for diversity in sports media, but also why we call for diversification …. learn empathy and decency along the way. This is unacceptable,” said Nubia, the host of the popular American podcast Shea Butter FC.
‘What does sexuality have to do with football? Stupid, ignorant and self-confident reporter should be sent home and never again accredited by FIFA,” one writer suggested.
“I know women’s football is much more inclusive than men’s football, but if you’re a journalist trying to take out players when they could be prosecuted or jailed at home, it doesn’t look good,” said another expert.
“Time for that reporter to attend some journalism ethics classes. Imagine thinking it’s acceptable to ask people to risk their freedom/security in this way (not to mention how huge their business is),’ a third journalist wrote.
Ghizlane Chebbak (above) and Assia Zouhair (black uniform) pose for their World Cup portraits ahead of the tournament
Morocco will start their first women’s World Cup campaign on Monday evening against a strong German side, who are expected to challenge for the title at the pointy end of the tournament.
Chebbak said every player knew about this hugely historic moment for their country
“We are honored to be the first Arab country to participate in the Women’s World Cup,” she said.
“We feel we have a great responsibility to show a good image, and to show what achievements the Moroccan football team has made in terms of progress by qualifying for the (Women’s) World Cup.
“This is a great milestone for us and we hope our game against Germany will pave the way for other games tomorrow.”