German broadcaster slams groping of female World Cup reporter

German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle Thursday condemned the sexual harassment of one of its correspondents who was groped and kissed while reporting live from Russia on the World Cup.

Colombian journalist Julieth Gonzalez Theran was reporting from the Russian city of Saransk when a man appeared suddenly, one hand grabbing her arm and the other her breast while kissing her on the cheek.

"The zero tolerance rule applies here, such assaults are not acceptable," said the broadcaster's chief editor Ines Pohl in a statement.

"We must all strive for female reporters to be able to do their jobs at major sporting events. And that begins with calling these things by their names -- this is not a trivial offence, but a sexual assault."