A World Cup press conference was reportedly shut down by FIFA after Morocco’s captain was asked if there were any gay players within the team.
Morocco are breaking new ground in Australia after becoming the first Arab country to be represented at a women’s World Cup and as such the question regarding same-sex relationships in the camp was judged to have presented a player safety issue.
Sam-sex relationships are illegal in Morocco.
A BBC reporter is understood to have probed Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak on the matter.
“We know that gay marriage is illegal, are there any gay players in the team, and how it’s like for them,” they asked.
According to those in the room, the FIFA moderator stopped the line of questioning reminding media that they were not there to discuss politics. Others were said to be “audibly dismayed”.
Chebbak also avoided answering questions about Nouhaila Benzina being the first player to wear a hijab at a women’s World Cup.
Morocco open their campaign against Germany today (Monday) before playing South Korea, and Colombia.
11:35AM $828 MILLION STADIUM LEAK
Not ideal eh?
Spend close to a billion bucks on a new fancy stadium – which incidentally is no bigger than the one it replaced – put a roof on so people don’t get wet and the bloody thing leaks.
That’s the story at Allianz in Sydney where World Cup crowds have been left soaked in spite of the supposed upgrades.
A quick google search tells you this about the new venue.
“No expense has been spared in turning Allianz Stadium into Australia’s premier sporting venue with 42,500 seats housed under a roof that keeps in the noise and keeps out the rain.”
Yeah, that’s awkward.
10:32AM WORLD CUP CHEAT STORM ERUPTS
There is a cheat storm erupting at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after vision and audio of Holland coach Andries Jonker ordering a player to “sit down” seemingly to feign injury emerged.
Defender Stefanie van der Gragt scored the only goal as the Dutch began their campaign with victory under a closed roof in Dunedin against the World Cup debutants.
It was not an entirely convincing performance but it sets the Netherlands up for a mouthwatering Group E showdown on Thursday with the USA, who began their bid for a third straight title with a 3-0 win over Vietnam.
Video posted to social media shows what appears to be Joner instructing Daniëlle van de Donk to “sit down” on the field despite being up on her feet.
After a short protest with Donk saying it “Daphne could do it: (we assume Daphne van Domselaar), the midfielder duely sits down on the field and waits for the ref to come over.
During this break in play, Jonker is surrounded by his players working through set pieces and barking out instructions.
Not to sound too Ashes-like but, not really in the spirit of the game is it?
9:15AM DEATH, TAXES, JAPAN FANS WINNING HEARTS
Whatever the event, Japan will always have the greatest fans in the world.
Footage of supporters cleaning up after their side’s 5-0 annihilation of Zambia on Saturday has gone viral and not for the first time.
Japanese fans have become known for their efforts to clean stands after they did so at the men’s 2022 and 2018 World Cups.
According to reports, Japan’s national women’s side were also thanked by FIFA for leaving their dressing room spotless.
8:15AM PENALTY FARCE BECOMING A JOKE
Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg called for greater “balance” after referees awarded penalties in all of the first eight games of the Women’s World Cup.
In about half the cases penalties were given after referees consulted the video assistant referee (VAR).
The sequence of spot-kicks only ended late on Saturday in game nine of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Switzerland took the lead against debutants the Philippines from the spot in the fourth game of the competition after a particularly controversial VAR intervention and consequent penalty decision.
“This is definitely not a penalty in my opinion,” former Australia international Heather Garriock said on Optus Sport.
“I think that’s pretty harsh.” Ramona Bachmann scored from the spot and Switzerland went on to win 2-0. Ahead of Germany’s opening match against Morocco on Monday, Voss-Tecklenburg said she had told her players to be particularly wary inside the penalty box.
“I hope that we will see a balance, not only among the players but also among the responsible referees,” said the former international player.
“I have been a bit surprised that we have seen that many (penalties) in the initial games.” The United States were awarded a penalty in the opening match of their title defence against Vietnam on Saturday following a lengthy VAR check.
Alex Morgan failed from the spot but it did not matter in the end, the Americans going on to win 3-0.
Asked by AFP afterwards about the glut of penalties and if they were being awarded too easily, US coach Vlatko Andonovski said: “I don’t know if they happen too easily or not.
“With all the cameras, with VAR and all the angles that the referees are reviewing, I’m sure they’re making the right call.” “If it’s a foul in the box, it’s a penalty,” he added.
7:15AM ENGLAND STAR’S TATT PROMISE
Jill Scott has vowed to get an extremely daring tattoo if England win the World Cup.
The England Lionesses legend, 36, made the claim on her BBC podcast, Jill Scott’s Coffee Club.
She was talking about her infamous swearing incident, when she was spotted mouthing off at a German player during the Euro 2022 final, admitting she would get an acronym of her swearing tirade.
Scott said: “I’m going to make a pact now live on the podcast, OK?
“I don’t know if I should be doing this, I’ve had a few coffees today.
“But when England win the World Cup, I will get FOYFP tattooed on me.”
The incident referred to when Scott was fouled by Germany’s Syndey Lohmann. The England star immediately sprang to her feet to give her opponent a piece of her mind.
She could be seen saying: “F*** off you f***ing p****” which was caught on camera.
BBC commentator Robyn Cowen apologised to offended viewers straight away as it was clear what Scott said, even without sound.
Scott has since revealed she hates swearing and was embarrassed by the viral moment.
She told talkSPORT: “Keira Walsh said I came on the pitch and was like ‘everyone calm down, keep your head, we’ve got a job to do for extra time’ and then obviously that went viral, me swearing at her.
“I do apologise for the swearing, I actually hate swearing away from football but once I cross over that white line I feel like I have to be angry and emotional to get my performance out of me.
“She did swear at me first but the camera was the other way but I do apologise.”
England’s Women’s World Cup campaign got off to a winning start against Haiti.
Originally published as FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 schedule, groups, results: Video reveals cheat storm