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Female reporter sexually assaulted live on air slams 'blatant harrassment'

World Cup reporter sexually assaulted during live report
World Cup reporter sexually assaulted during live report

The female journalist who was sexually assaulted live on air at the Russia World Cup has spoken out for the first time about her treatment.

Colombian reporter Julieth Gonzalez Theran was standing in a city square in Saransk, Russia, late last week reporting on the World Cup for Deutsche Welle, a German news station.

However, right as she went live on television for her report, a man came running up into the shot. The man grabbed Gonzalez Theran and her breast, kissed her on the cheek, and quickly took off.

However, right as she went live on television for her report, a man came running up into the shot. The man grabbed Gonzalez Theran and her breast, kissed her on the cheek, and quickly took off.

She continued her report without interruption but has since addressed the incident online, dismissing it ‘not a trivial offence, but a sexual assault.’

Posting on Instagram afterwards, Gonzalez Theran thanked everyone for their messages of support and solidarity in the ‘unfortunate episode’ in Russia.

‘I do not want to present myself here as a victim, I just want to be able to continue with my work.

‘Unfortunately this has caused that it can not work as planned, if not in a more limited format and under strict safety parameters. I do not see the time to return to focus on football.’

She told her employer, Deutsche Welle, she had been on the scene for two hours preparing for the broadcast.

‘When we went live, this fan took advantage of the situation,’ she said. ‘But afterwards, when I checked to see if he was still there, he was gone.’