Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFormer Serbian footballer Rade Bogdanovic has apologised after making racist comments on Serbian television during World Cup coverage. Bogdanovic stated that “Black players lack concentration beyond 60 to 80 minutes” while discussing a red card received by Belgium’s Nathan Ngoy during his side’s goalless draw with Iran on Sunday. Despite social media backlash, Bogdanovic was initially retained as a pundit for another match by the Serbian broadcaster RTS. Bogdanovic issued a statement to Reuters expressing his sincere apology for his remarks concerning Black football players. RTS also released an apology, clarifying that Bogdanovic is an expert commentator rather than an employee, and apologised for the statement made on their programme. In fullTV pundit apologises for racist comments on World Cup 2026 coverageThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
World Cup pundit at centre of racism storm issues apology
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFormer Serbian footballer Rade Bogdanovic has apologised after making racist comments on Serbian television during World Cup coverage. Bogdanovic stated that “Black players lack concentration beyond 60 to 80 minutes” while discussing a red card received by Belgium’s Nathan Ngoy during his side’s goalless draw with Iran on Sunday. Despite social media backlash, Bogdanovic was initially retained as a pundit for another match by the Serbian broadcaster RTS. Bogdanovic issued a statement to Reuters expressing his sincere apology for his remarks concerning Black football players. RTS also released an apology, clarifying that Bogdanovic is an expert commentator rather than an employee, and apologised for the statement made on their programme. In fullTV pundit apologises for racist comments on World Cup 2026 coverageThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
