Serbian former footballer Rade Bogdanovic has sparked widespread condemnation after making racist comments during live coverage of Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Iran at the World Cup. The remarks were made on RTS, Serbia’s public broadcaster, while discussing the incident in which Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy was shown a red card in the second half. Bogdanovic questioned the sending off and then drew criticism by claiming that “black players” lack concentration after 60 to 80 minutes, saying the “majority lack concentration” and suggesting teams sometimes have to protect players from making mistakes. The show’s host challenged him during the broadcast, and Bogdanovic reportedly doubled down. Serbian broadcaster RTS later issued an apology for the statement made in its program, saying Bogdanovic was working as an expert commentator. Bogdanovic also issued an apology, stating that he “sincerely apologise[s]” for his comments about black football players. Reports also note that his comments add to a wider pattern of controversy around remarks made by football figures during the tournament.
Serbian pundit Rade Bogdanovic faces backlash for racist remarks on Belgium-Iran match
Serbian former footballer Rade Bogdanovic has sparked widespread condemnation after making racist comments during live coverage of Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Iran at the World Cup. The remarks were made...
- Rade Bogdanovic made the comments during RTS coverage of Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Iran at the World Cup.
- He said black players “lack concentration” beyond about 60 to 80 minutes.
- The remarks were made after Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy received a red card in the second half.
- Bogdanovic initially faced challenges on air and then doubled down, according to multiple accounts.
- RTS and Bogdanovic both issued apologies after the comments.
Serbian World Cup pundit Rade Bogdanovic (Picture: RTS) Former Atletico Madrid striker Rade Bogdanovic has faced backlash after suggesting that ‘black players lack concentration’ live on Serbian television. Bogdanovic made the comments on a World Cup programme aired by RTS, Serbia’s public broadcaster, during their coverage of Belgium’s goalless draw with Iran. Rudi Garcia’s side were seeking their first win of the tournament but were hampered after defender Nathan Ngoy was shown a red card in the second half. The centre-back underhit a pass to Thibaut Courtois before hauling down Iran’s Mehdi Taremi as he looked to pick up the ball and go clean through on goal. Don't miss a World Cup moment (Picture: Getty) We're witnessing history at this World Cup – our daily newsletter helps you make the most of it. Sign up. But discussing the sending off after the game, Bogdanovic drew widespread condemnation after he questioned the focus and stamina of black players. ‘I have always said those players – and I’m really not racist – but black players lack the concentration to last more than 60 to 80 minutes,’ Bogdanovic said. ‘When we played, we sometimes had to protect our own players to stop them making mistakes.’ Bogdanovic made the comment after Nathan Ngoy’s red card against Iran (Picture: Getty) The 56-year-old’s comments were immediately challenged by the show’s host, but Bogdanovic doubled down, insisting that ‘the majority lack concentration’. The former striker, who made three appearances for Yugoslavia in 1997, has since apologised for his comments. ‘I sincerely apologise for my statement regarding black football players,’ he said in a brief statement to Reuters. Bogdanovic also played for German side Werder Bremen (Picture: Getty) Broadcaster RTS also issued an official apology, saying that Bogdanovic was only working with the company as an ‘expert commentator’ for this summer’s tournament. ‘We would like to take this opportunity to apologise, as a broadcaster, for the statement made in our programme concerning members of a particular race,’ it said. Earlier in the tournament, former Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart came under fire for an offensive ‘joke’ he made about Japan’s World Cup team. Van der Vaart ‘jokingly’ cited Japan’s players all ‘looking alike’ as a possible explanation for the Dutch’s mixed defensive performance in the 2-2 draw in Dallas. He later apologised and said his intention was ‘never to insult, hurt, or discriminate against anyone’. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
2 months agoRade Bogdanovic made comments on public broadcasterQuestioned over the remark, former player doubled downThe former Yugoslavia and Atlético Madrid striker Rade Bogdanovic has sparked controversy on Serbian TV after saying that “Black players lack concentration beyond 60 to 80 minutes” during the Belgium v Iran World Cup match.Bogdanovic, 56, made the comment on a World Cup programme aired by Serbia’s public broadcaster (RTS) late on Sunday night while discussing the 66th-minute red card shown to the Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy. Continue reading...
2 months agoFormer Atletico Madrid forward Rade Bogdanovic was a pundit on RTS - Serbia's national broadcaster - for their coverage of Belgium's surprise draw with Iran on Sunday.
2 months agoFormer Atletico Madrid forward Rade Bogdanovic was a pundit on RTS - Serbia's national broadcaster - for their coverage of Belgium's surprise draw with Iran on Sunday.
2 months agoBelgium were held to a damaging 0-0 draw by Iran in their second Group G match at the World Cup on Sunday and Rade Bogdanović made outrageous comments on Serbian TV
2 months ago
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