Nobody is above mistakes

The BBC has issued an apology after one of its journalists probed the Morocco women’s national team captain with a potentially dangerous question about gay football players. During a Women’s World Cup press conference before Morocco’s opening game against Germany on Monday (24 July), a reporter from the broadcaster asked captain Ghizlane Chebbak: “In Morocco, it’s illegal to have a gay relationship. Do you have any gay players in your squad and what’s life like for them in Morocco?” The question – which had the potential to out and endanger players if any on the team are gay – was met with visible disbelief from Chebbak. The press conference moderator refuted the question, saying it was “political” in nature and reporters should “just stick to questions relating to football”.