Former Serbian footballer Rade Bogdanovic has apologised after racist comments he made on Serbian TV during World Cup coverage sparked backlash.
The former Atletico Madrid and Werder Bremen striker said “Black players lack concentration beyond 60 to 80 minutes” during Belgium’s World Cup group stage game against Iran.
His comments came during a discussion of the red card shown in the 66th minute to Belgian defender Nathan Ngoy, who cleared out Mehdi Taremi when the Iran forward was through on goal and was immediately sent off.
Belgium were held to a goalless draw, largely thanks to the heroics of Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Bogdanovic made the racist remark late on Sunday night on a programme aired by Serbian broadcaster RTS. He said: “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.
“When we played, we sometimes had to protect our own players to stop them making mistakes.”
The programme’s host challenged this assertion but Bogdanovic continued, saying, “the majority lack concentration”. Backlash on social media did not prevent RTS including him in their pundity line-up for Argentina’s game against Austria the following day.
He has since apologised, saying in a statement to Reuters: “I sincerely apologise for my statement regarding Black football players”.
RTS also issued an apology, saying the 56-year-old is not an employee of the broadcaster but has been “engaged as an expert commentator for the duration of the 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.”
Bogdanovic won the German Cup with Werder Bremen and made three appearances for Yugoslavia in 1997. He also played in South Korea and Japan.
Belgium and Iran’s 0-0 draw, and Egypt’s win over New Zealand, leaves the battle for progression from Group G hanging in the balance, with a resilient Iran side currently sitting second after two stalemates – the first time they have avoided defeat in their opening two matches at a World Cup. Rudi Garcia’s Belgium are third.
