BBC Apologizes for Controversial Question on LGBTQ+ Players to Morocco’s Women’s Team Captain

"We know that gay marriage is illegal [in Morocco]. Are there any homosexual players on the team? And how does it go for them?", a journalist, apparently working for the BBC World Service, asked Ghizlane Chebbak. A question that a BBC spokesperson considers "inappropriate", reports Daily Mail. "We acknowledge that the question was inappropriate. We did not intend to cause harm or distress," he said.

The journalist asked this question on Sunday during a press conference for the women’s World Cup before the match between Morocco and Germany on Monday. The FIFA moderator quickly brushed aside the question. He reminded the journalist that he was not there to talk about politics. According to him, the Moroccan players could be "put in danger" if they were asked whether they were homosexual or not. For the record, homosexuality is a criminal offense prohibited by Article 489 of the Moroccan Penal Code. The person can be sentenced from six months to three years in prison or fines of 120 to 1200 dirhams, i.e. 11 to 110 euros.

The question shocked the other Moroccan and other nationality journalists present, reports The Athletic. "The journalist completely crossed the line," said Shireen Ahmed, a Muslim journalist from CBC in Canada. "Risk mitigation is important and it was unnecessary to ask the captain or the coach. The question was brushed aside by a FIFA media official, but it should not have been asked."

"That’s why we advocate for diversity in sports media, but also why we shout that we need to diversify ourselves... to learn empathy and decency along the way. This is unacceptable," Nubia, host of the popular American podcast Shea Butter FC, was outraged.