A World Cup reporter has been blasted for putting Moroccan players in danger with a question during a press conference on Sunday.
Morocco, the first Arab country to qualify for the Women’s World Cup, faces Germany in its opening match on Monday night at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
But ahead of the contest, one journalist – said to be representing the BBC – asked captain Ghizlane Chebbak whether any players in the squad were gay.
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Same-sex relationships are illegal in Morocco meaning answering the question could have placed players in personal danger upon their return home.
A FIFA official shut down the question after it was asked.
“I was at this press conference. The reporter was completely out of line,” reporter Shireen Ahmed said.
“Harm reduction matters and posing the question to the captain or coach was unnecessary. The question was waved off by a FIFA media officer moderating but it shouldn’t have been asked.
Meanwhile The Athletic’s Steph Yang said: “From a harm reduction perspective, this is not an appropriate question for a player and would have endangered the players themselves.”
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WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SCHEDULE (Sunday July 23)
Group G: Sweden vs South Africa, Wellington Regional Stadium, 3pm AEST – LIVE
Group E: Netherlands vs Portugal, Dunedin Stadium, 5:30pm AEST – LIVE
Group F: France vs Jamaica, Sydney Football Stadium, 8pm AEST – LIVE
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