Rade Bogdanovic made outrageous comments on Serbian television during Sunday’s goalless draw with Belgium and Iran, and later released a statement apologizing.
The comments were made after Nathan Goy was sent off (Image: ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Rade Bogdanovic has apologized after making racist remarks on Serbian television while covering the World Cup, sparking widespread condemnation. “Black players lose concentration after 60 to 80 minutes,” the former Atletico Madrid striker said during Belgium’s goalless draw with Iran.
The comments came as Nathan Goy was shown a red card in the 66th minute of the match, with the young defender talking about his early sending off by beating Mehdi Taremi as the last man on the pitch. And Bogdanovic made an incredibly controversial view on RTS.
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He said, “I’ve always said about those players, and I’m not really a racist, but black players lack the concentration to last more than 60 to 80 minutes. I played with them.”
“Sometimes we had to protect our players from making mistakes. In modern football, you can’t afford these kinds of mistakes at World Cup level.”
The show’s host was quick to dispute Bogdanovic’s statements, but added that the 56-year-old remains firm in his beliefs and that “the majority lack focus.” Despite the backlash online, RTS included the former Werder Bremen player in the lineup for Argentina vs. Austria the next day.
However, Bogdanovic later apologized for his choice of words. “I sincerely apologize for my comments regarding black football players,” he told Reuters.
RTS also issued another apology, explaining: “As a broadcaster, we would like to take this opportunity to apologize for comments made on our programs about members of a particular race.”
This comes after FIFA stepped up its fight against discrimination last week to commemorate the International Day against Hate Speech. The umbrella organization carried out “high-impact stadium activities” across Atlanta, Guadalajara, Los Angeles and Vancouver, sending a “rallying cry” to end discrimination and “defend football.”
The national team captains exchanged special commemorative pendants with the opposing team’s native language written on one side and the English translation of “WE PLAY TOGETHER. WE STAND AGAINST HATE” on the other.
Commenting on the move, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “Hate speech has no place in football or in society. On International Day Against Hate Speech, we reaffirm our persistent efforts to eradicate all forms of discriminatory abuse.”
“The targeting of players, coaches and match officials is an attack on football itself. We have a duty to protect them, and we have a duty to protect our fans from hateful abuse and the idea that such behavior can be tolerated.”
“That’s why we have strengthened the FIFA Disciplinary Code, launched an anti-racism campaign and empowered players, coaches and match officials through gestures of anti-racism. Hate speech is a systemic challenge and we need strong allies to confront it.”
Rade Bogdanovic makes racist remarks on Serbian TV (Image: RTS)
“Through FIFA’s social media protection service and with the support of partners like @tiktok, we will work together to stand up to hate, make digital spaces safer and ensure respect always exists in the beautiful game and online.”
FIFA has introduced a new rule for this summer’s tournament, meaning that players who cover their mouths while talking to other players on the pitch will be immediately shown a red card, regardless of whether their words were malicious or not.
Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off as a result of the new rules after covering his mouth while talking midway through last week’s game against Turkey. Almiron made the gesture while walking beside Mart Mulder after the two sides separated after a brief scuffle.
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The assistant referee was immediately warned and Almiron was given his marching orders. “According to the law, if you cover your mouth, you’re sent off. It’s a red card,” Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro told Full Time about the incident.
“There is nothing I can do about it. Unfortunately, I cannot give a new opinion on the matter. He (Almiron) apologized to the players for his mistake. He knew the situation in which he left his teammates behind with his actions.”
It is unclear what words were exchanged with Almiron, but the player will miss Paraguay’s final group game against Australia on Saturday, June 26.
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