Uproar After Morocco W Captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, Is Asked Improper Question, Video

• Ghizlane Chebbak the Morocco Women's Captain, was asked an 'inappropriate' question during a press conference
• A reporter wanted her to shed light on gay rights in her country and in the women's squad
• Morocco are making their first ever World Cup appearance alongside seven other teams

The British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) has been forced to apologise after one of its reporters posed an 'inappropriate' to Morocco Women's captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, during a pre-World Cup match press conference.

Chebbak is leading a Moroccan team to their first-ever World Cup appearance after reaching the finals of the Women Africa Cup of Nations(WAFCON) last year held on home soil.

Ahead of their opening game against Germany on July 24, Chebbak fielded questions from journalists alongside her manager Reynald Pedros.

What was Chebbak asked?

A journalist believed to be from BBC asked Chebbak whether there are any homosexuals in the Morocco team.

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"In Morocco, it is illegal to have a gay relationship. Do you have any gay players in your squad and what is life like for them in Morocco?"

A visibly shocked Pedros and Chebbak were taken aback by the question, with a FIFA representative who was moderating the interview shutting down the question, terming it political, against the reporter's protests.

BBC apologises

The media house has now reportedly apologised for the reporter's question calling the question 'inappropriate.'

"We recognise that the question was inappropriate. We had no intention to cause any harm or distress," a spokesperson said exclusively to CNN.

The question irked social media users, with many calling out the journalist for putting Chebbak in such a situation.

@Shescoresbangers said;

"A completely unethical out-of-line question that poses safety concerns to the players he asking to be named."

Shireen Ahmed, a fellow journalist who was at the press conference, said;

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"The reporter was completely out of line. 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."

While @David_Challen said:

"Asking female footballers about their sexuality is a breach of privacy and safety. Such questions are never posed to male teams and peddle false stereotypes that women who play football are gay. This discrimination has no place in sports journalism."

Gay relationships are frowned upon in the North African country and could attract up to three-year jail terms, according to article 489 of the penal code.

Morocco received a heavy 6-0 humbling at the hands of two-time champions Germany in their opening game. They will now regroup and attempt to save face with clashes against South Korea and Colombia to follow.

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