“He hit me” – World Cup press conference disrupted by a fight, and FIFA had to step in
A press conference before the first World Cup quarter-final took an unexpected turn when two journalists started arguing while Brahim Diaz was answering a question.
The next round of the tournament kicks off Thursday night, with two-time winners facing France in a rematch of the 2022 semi-final in Qatar.
But one of the strangest moments happened during the press event, where Morocco star Diaz and manager Mohamed Ouahbi were talking to the media.
As Diaz was explaining Morocco’s mindset for the upcoming game, some journalists in the room began shouting and interrupting.
A video shared online showed Diaz looking surprised and stopping mid-sentence, while a reporter was heard saying, “But why did you hit me? You can’t hit me.”
Press officers from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and FIFA stepped in, with someone saying, “Gentlemen, please.”
Even with staff trying to calm things down, the tense scene went on for several seconds, and Diaz couldn’t help but laugh at the unusual situation.
Eventually, the argument ended and Diaz received an apology, encouraging him to continue. But he was clearly shaken and had to have the question repeated to him.
Another close-up video from Sky Germany reporter Kerry Hau showed the journalists involved and staff trying to keep the peace as voices got louder.
Hau, who witnessed everything, called the incident “completely crazy and embarrassing” and said FIFA staff had to step in.
Afterward, Marcelo Courrege, one of the reporters involved, shared his side of the story.
Courrege, who works for Globo in Brazil, explained that the issue was cleared up and they even hugged and took a picture together.
On X, he wrote: “The Moroccan reporter was eager to ask his question and kept raising his arm a lot, getting in the shot. I asked him twice to lower it, but he started yelling. He grabbed my arm, so I reacted. It was awkward, but later we talked calmly, he understood, and we apologized to each other. We hugged and took a photo. It’s a huge game for Morocco against France, with lots of tension, so it’s understandable. It happened, but it’s over now.”
After that, the press conference went on, and Diaz, who switched from Spain to Morocco internationally, spoke about his excitement and confidence for the big game in Boston.
He said, “We’re facing one of the favorites, but we’re here because we can compete with France. We’re fighters too. We want to win and will give everything we’ve got.”
“I always take responsibility. I thrive on pressure. These are the matches every player dreams of, and I’m ready. I feel confident and know we’ll do our best.”
Diaz will play against his Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappe, who has scored seven goals this World Cup. He might also face another teammate, Aurelien Tchouameni, if he recovers in time.
When asked about competing against his club teammates, Diaz said, “They’re amazing players and great people. Tomorrow, we’re opponents, and we all want to win. That’s what matters. I believe in my team and know we’ll put on a great show.”