French Journalist labels Nouhaila Benzina ‘regressive’ over wearing hijab during Morocco’s clash in 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Moroccans are setting new grounds in the World Cup for other African nations to follow.
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Nouhila Benzina with her teammate during World cup warm-ups. (Source: Getty Images)
Nouhaila Benzina made history when she became the first player to enter the pitch while wearing a hijab in World Cup. Benzina debuted for Morocco against the Republic of South Korea in a 1-0 victory for her team. Although Morocco have been labeled as a dominant team in the competition, having already reached the Round of 16 Knockout stage. This incident involving their defender and a French journalist has sparked outrage.
With ongoing tensions in France, any comments made by their media will naturally attract heat. So it is no surprise that when a French TV journalist, Philippe Guibert, called Benzina ‘regressive’ for wearing Hijab on the world stage. His remarks were seen as a disgrace by fans. While the fans labeled the journalist’s comment as a ‘disrespect’, we are yet to see a reaction from the player.
The journalist said, “She intends to call her teammates and other women not wearing the hijab as ‘indecent’.” The comment was seen as far-fetched. Meanwhile, players depicting their culture have always attracted attention. But this was yet another instance that proves that football brings fans together.
While it can be said that as the world moves forward towards a more stable society the federations will either accept or put regulations around such issues. The fans feel that, hopefully, football can always remain a platform to uplift everyone’s emotions.
African glory at the World Cup
The FIFA Women’s World Cup has kicked off in great style. Already producing moments that everyone would remember. For the first time ever three African nations have qualified for the knockout stages. While Zamibia is the only one out of the four countries to miss out. Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco will be featuring in the knockout stages
Similar to what we saw with the Moroccan Lions in the Men’s FIFA World Cup last year. Moroccan Women’s Team seems to be churning out their own records at the moment. Despite a difficult debut against Germany in a 6-0 defeat, their comeback is indeed remarkable. While the team is still too young to be pitched to go all the way. FIFA tourneys have never been short of seeing underdogs win. Morocco has constantly set in records for other African nations to follow and aspire to.
Meanwhile, South Africa left it late to qualify for the knockouts while Nigeria’s route to the round of 16 was no short of drama. With the representation of African teams at the highest stage of World football, the area certainly deserves all the praise and attention.
In case you missed:
- 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16 England v Nigeria: Live stream, where and how to watch
- “They were cocky; Completely insane”- Social media stunned after Sweden eliminates defending FIFA Women’s World Cup champions USWNT on penalties
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Syed Talib Haider
(1039 Articles Published)