Former striker Rade Bogdanovic has apologised after making racist comments about black football players during a live World Cup broadcast on Serbian state television.
He was working as a guest football analyst on RTS during the Group G match between Belgium and Iran, which ended in a goalless draw.
During the discussion about Belgian defender Nathan Ngoy’s red card, Bogdanovic made comments questioning the focus and stamina of black players. He said they struggle to maintain concentration beyond 60 to 80 minutes of play.
His remarks quickly triggered backlash on social media, with many users calling them offensive and unacceptable.
Comments made during live analysis
Bogdanovic, who played three international matches for Yugoslavia in 1997 and also had club spells in Spain, Germany, South Korea, and Japan, made the remarks while reviewing the key incident of the match.
He repeated his claim when challenged on air, stating that “the majority lack concentration,” despite pushback from the presenter.
His comments continued to circulate online, drawing widespread criticism from fans, journalists, and football observers.
Public reaction and apology
After the backlash, Bogdanovic issued an apology through Reuters, stating that he sincerely regretted his remarks about black football players.
Despite the controversy, Bogdanovic later appeared again on RTS during coverage of Argentina’s 2 0 victory over Austria in another group stage match.
