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Mass Outrage After Female Reporter’s Assault On Live TV Hailed As A “Great Moment” By Fans
Mass Outrage After Female Reporter’s Assault On Live TV Hailed As A “Great Moment” By Fans
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Mass Outrage After Female Reporter’s Assault On Live TV Hailed As A “Great Moment” By Fans

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Reporter María Fernanda Mora was assaulted by a football fan during a live broadcast of the celebrations for Mexican club Chivas.

A clip of the incident, originally broadcast in 2018, has recently resurfaced on social media, receiving over 10 million views on X (formerly Twitter).

After being touched, the Fox Sports reporter turned around and struck the man with her microphone.

Highlights
  • A football fan assaulted reporter María Fernanda Mora during a live broadcast of Mexican football club Chivas’ victory in 2018.
  • The clip has recently resurfaced on social media, highlighting the harassment women face in a male-dominated workspace.
  • One user sparked mass outrage by calling the incident “a great moment” in a viral post.

The man then backed away and raised his hands as if to suggest he had done nothing wrong.

A user on the platform referred to the assault as a “great moment,” sparking outrage as thousands questioned why the situation was being naturalized or celebrated.

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    A female reporter in a grey suit smiles on a soccer field, highlighting media controversy over public reactions.

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    Image credits: marifermora_90

    “She was s*xually assaulted in front of a camera and it’s very obvious that she started crying or had an anxiety attack and the first thing men think is that it was a ‘great moment’????????????” one user wrote in a post that received 87,000 likes.

    “They will always tell us that we are exaggerating,” said another woman.

    “It disgusts me. Poor woman. If it had been accidental, he’d apologize, it wouldn’t go any further. It wasn’t,” commented someone else. “And there are still people who don’t understand that we must respect other people.”

    In response, María struck the man with her microphone, after which he backed away

    Female reporter surrounded by soccer fans on live TV.

    Image credits: Fox Sports Mexico

    “Not all men but always a man!!” stated a separate user, while another said, “Women should be able to go wherever they want. Men shouldn’t assault anyone, period.”

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    The journalist was broadcasting from La Minerva, a monument in the city of Guadalajara, but she struggled to raise her voice, as the excitement of the supporters made it nearly impossible for her to speak.

    “This is a real party, but I can’t hear you all, so I’m going back to the studio with you,” she said just before the football fan touched her inappropriately.

    Fans jubilantly cheer, surrounding a female reporter during a live TV incident, creating a scene of mass outrage.

    Image credits: Fox Sports Mexico

    Upon returning to the studio, her colleague, José Pablo Coello, condemned the supporter’s behavior, calling him a “pseudo-fan” and describing his actions as “unacceptable.”

    The reporter later addressed some users who downplayed or mocked the assault. “I’m telling you what happened to me, so you don’t start talking nonsense. I was groped several times while I was on camera. Several times! Thank you for your unsolicited opinion,” she wrote on X.

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    A resurfaced clip of the incident has gone viral on social media, receiving over 10 million views on X (formerly Twitter)

    A female reporter looks concerned while surrounded by fans in sports jerseys at a nighttime event.

    Image credits: Fox Sports Mexico

    In honor of this year’s International Women’s Day, María reflected on the persistent gender inequality in various aspects of society.

    “Every so often, these types of accounts re-viralize the s*xual assault I suffered 7 years ago. They want to revictimize me,” she wrote.

    “Today, in light of the times, I tell you that I’m not ashamed of what I experienced; the attacker should be ashamed. I’m not ashamed of my reaction either,” she went on to say.

    María confirmed she was groped multiple times on camera and criticized those downplaying the incident

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    Crowded stadium with football fans, energetic atmosphere, and vibrant team banners.

    Image credits: Joel Espinosa (Not the actual photo)

    She said she refused to be “paralyzed” by the incident or let it be used as a “weapon” against her.

    “I’m grateful that instead of being paralyzed, I managed to do something,” she added. “This has long since ceased to be a ‘weapon’ that can be used against me.”

    But María wasn’t the first female reported to be assaulted while doing her job. French journalist Marina Lorenzo experienced a similar situation during Spain’s Copa del Rey final. “Don’t touch me,” she told a supporter of FC Barcelona who was celebrating outside a stadium.

    Female reporter stands on a soccer field, arms raised, smiling widely at the stadium.

    Image credits: marifermora_90

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    Brazilian reporter Bruna Dealtry also had to dodge a Vasco da Gama fan who attempted to kiss her while she was broadcasting.

    The same month, Renata de Medeiros was reportedly attacked while working for Brazil’s Radio Gaúcha. A football fan yelled, “Get out of here, b*tch!” and, according to Medeiros, he attacked her when she asked him to repeat the insult on camera.

    She pointed out how women are questioned, blamed, or scrutinized when they advance in their careers or report harassment

    Female reporter on set, smiling, amidst outrage after live TV incident.

    Image credits: marifermora_90

    More recently, in 2022, Jessica Dias was the victim of harassment by a fan of the football team Flamengo while covering a match of the Libertadores Cup at the country’s Maracaná stadium.

    The football fan kissed the ESPN broadcaster without her consent. Isabelle Costa, Jessica’s colleague, later confirmed on social media that the man had been arrested and reported that he had groped the reporter in addition to kissing her.

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    People supported the reporter for defending herself against her aggressor and speaking out about the incident

    Tweet supporting female reporter after TV incident amidst public outrage.

    Image credits: KellieSeay02

    Tweet by Deano, agreeing with a comment related to female reporter's assault, timestamp shown.

    Image credits: Dean_Kid

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    Tweet supporting female reporter after live TV incident, emphasizing personal boundaries and self-defense.

    Image credits: WVPinky79

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    Tweet reacting to female reporter's live TV incident, viewed as a "great moment" by fans.

    Image credits: AshleighBarke11

    Image credits: kyleLFCgleavey

    Tweet reaction to female reporter's live TV moment, praising her actions and highlighting audience response.

    Image credits: roban101

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    Tweet expressing outrage over female reporter's live TV assault, highlighting women's struggles against inaction.

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    Image credits: mcg1981

    Tweet showing outrage over female reporter's assault, saying, "People are disgusting!

    Image credits: ProducerChari

    Tweet response supporting female reporter after live TV assault incident.

    Image credits: serious2020

    Tweet about a misunderstanding in a live TV incident involving a female reporter's assault.

    Image credits: mumrrah

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    Poll Question

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    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    Read more »

    With a degree in social science and a love for culture, I approach entertainment journalism at Bored Panda with a research-driven mindset. I write about celebrity news, Hollywood highlights, and viral stories that spark curiosity worldwide. My work has reached millions of readers and is recognized for balancing accuracy with an engaging voice. I believe that pop culture isn’t just entertainment, it reflects the social conversations shaping our time.

    Read less »
    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    With a degree in social science and a love for culture, I approach entertainment journalism at Bored Panda with a research-driven mindset. I write about celebrity news, Hollywood highlights, and viral stories that spark curiosity worldwide. My work has reached millions of readers and is recognized for balancing accuracy with an engaging voice. I believe that pop culture isn’t just entertainment, it reflects the social conversations shaping our time.

    What do you think ?
    Vinnie
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw a similar video of a reporter covering a race. She was quite young, maybe 21, very happy and eager. Then a middle-aged man smacked her on the backside as he ran past. That was the moment the joy completely left her, she was in shock, frozen. Very sad to see. The man plead guilty to sexual battery, thank goodness.

    Offbeat Quinoa
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don’t know who needs to hear this but: STOP TOUCHING US. Stop grabbing us, stop trying to grab and use our bodies for your own pleasure.

    John Luckmann
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm assuming someone did it to make it look like someone else did it. Just so she would react and blame that person. Like kids would do in high school or junior high.

    Load More Comments
    Vinnie
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw a similar video of a reporter covering a race. She was quite young, maybe 21, very happy and eager. Then a middle-aged man smacked her on the backside as he ran past. That was the moment the joy completely left her, she was in shock, frozen. Very sad to see. The man plead guilty to sexual battery, thank goodness.

    Offbeat Quinoa
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don’t know who needs to hear this but: STOP TOUCHING US. Stop grabbing us, stop trying to grab and use our bodies for your own pleasure.

    John Luckmann
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm assuming someone did it to make it look like someone else did it. Just so she would react and blame that person. Like kids would do in high school or junior high.

    Load More Comments
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