​Sports Reporter Hits Fan With Microphone After Being Groped Live On Air

A sports reporter has been captured on camera hitting a male football fan with her microphone after he acted inappropriately live on air.

Fox Sports Mexico journalist Maria Fernanda Mora was reporting live outside the Guadalajara stadium when the incident took place.

The local team had just beaten Toronto, the Daily Mail reports, meaning that spirits were high and the area was extremely crowded.

But one fan took his celebrations too far, with Mora claiming he touched her inappropriately while everyone was jumping around - leading her to turn around and thwack him with her microphone, much to the football fan's surprise.

In a statement on Twitter, Mora said that she didn't regret her reaction 'at all', adding that women 'will not be quiet' about sexual harassment.

The statement, addressing the incident on 26 April, said: "What happened to me early last Thursday happens to thousands of women every day in countless public spaces.

"The difference is that it happened to me during a live link television and I decided to defend myself.

"My reaction is what turned the fact into something viral."

She continued: "I thought, 'It could be an accidental rubbing because of people's pushing,' and I kept talking to the camera.

"This guy, emboldened because I did not react and kept doing my job, put his hand between my buttocks twice more. I decided to defend myself."

Mora added: "I do not regret at all in my way of acting before his attack because I had previously suffered harassment in the performance of my journalistic work.

"I defended myself because women are NOT GOING TO LEAVE AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO STOP."

Some Twitter users have blasted Mora for apparently wanting her five minutes of fame.

However, Bild reports that several other high profile Mexican presenters have come out in support of Mora, while many other Twitter users have also written messages to Mora in solidarity.

One person wrote: "I think any living being (in this case a woman) on this planet deserves absolute respect."

Another said: "I admire your bravery and I want your words to push other women to raise their voices, I also wish men understand that we are not owners of anyone and no woman belongs to us."

Topics: Viral, SPORT, World News, News, Football, Mexico

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman