World Cup reporters' heated spat stuns star in wild press conference – 'You can't hit me!'

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Brahim Diaz's pre-match press conference ahead of Morocco's clash with

France

was thrown into disarray after two journalists came to blows. The

Real Madrid

star was fielding questions before the

AFCON

finalists' quarter-final showdown against the 2018 World Cup champions when pandemonium erupted inside the press conference room.

Morocco

, who made it to the semi-finals at the last World Cup, have put in an impressive showing throughout the tournament in North America. Following an opening-day stalemate with

Brazil

, the Atlas Lions swept aside both

Scotland

and

Haiti

to comfortably book their place in the round of 32.

In one of the standout matches of the round, Morocco and the

Netherlands

were unable to be separated until a penalty shootout, with the North Africans holding their nerve to advance. A commanding victory over co-hosts

Canada

in the round of 16 then saw Morocco stride into the last eight, where they now face pre-tournament favourites France.

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Diaz was presented to the media on Tuesday afternoon, but midway through a question regarding the squad's mentality, proceedings came to a sudden halt.

A visibly startled Diaz glanced into the crowd as one journalist could be heard screeching: "But why did you hit me? But why did you hit me? You can't hit me."

A member of staff on the stage, believed to be the press officer, attempted to restore order, calling out: "Hey, hey, gentlemen, please, gentlemen."

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Yet the altercation pressed on, with the journalist continuing to insist he had been struck by the other reporter involved.

By this stage, a visibly taken aback Diaz was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain his composure, with the former

Manchester City

star barely able to suppress his smirks and stifled laughter.

The press officer then said: "Apologies, Brahim - go ahead, thank you."

The Real Madrid star added: "I forgot the question!"

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