An American TV reporter has been hit with backlash over her insensitive commentary about Bosnia-Herzegovina during a segment on the World Cup after telling viewers: “I could not point out where it is on a map.”
ABC7 Los Angeles’ Abigail Velez was covering the U.S. national team’s match where they lost 3-2 to Turkey on Thursday, when she gave viewers an update on the home side’s next game.
“The next round, Team USA will play Bosnia next Wednesday and one thing about Bosnia, I could not point out where it is on a map,” Velez said. “I don’t know the first thing about Bosnia and I don’t want to know because Team USA, we’re back, we’re better than ever.”
The reporter then doubled down, telling America’s southeastern European opponent to get ready for a tough competition.
“That’s next Wednesday. Get prepared, Bosnia, because you don’t want it, you don’t want it like that, but you’re gonna get it. That’s next Wednesday,” she said.
Bosnia fans, including the official Bosnian Football account on X, were unhappy with Velez’s comments.
“My goodness, the stereotypes write themselves……” the Bosnian Football account posted.
Fans of the team and others baffled by the ignorance chimed in. “‘I can’t even find Bosnia on a map’ isn’t the mic drop moment you think it is,” football reporter Nima Tavalley Roodsari wrote on X.
“The only thing Americans can find on a map is the closest McDonalds,” Canadian journalist Mark Slapinski commented.
“Americans aren’t just ignorant, they are proud of their ignorance,” one X user wrote.
Another X user commented: “Yes, this is embarrassing & stupid, but it’s also evidence of an American phenomenon that’s existed my entire life: finding stupidity endearing & funny when it’s really just embarrassing.”
Velez apologized in a statement Saturday for her “poor effort to have a little fun with the World Cup competition ,” and noted that the segment was supposed to be lighthearted.
“I took it too far and made a thoughtless comment on air that was insensitive and inappropriate. I apologize to the people of Bosnia and the Bosnian Football team,” she wrote on X.
“The World Cup is supposed to be about uniting communities around the world, and my comment didn’t reflect that spirit,” she continued. “Wishing all the teams the very best as they continue their World Cup journey.”
The Independent has contacted ABC for comment.
The U.S. Men’s National Team and Bosnia-Herzegovina will play at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium Wednesday.
Bosnia-Herzegovina finished third in Group B with four points after its win over Qatar. The team qualified for the knock-out round and snagged a spot as one of the best third-place teams.
Meanwhile, the U.S. team had already secured its first place in Group D after winning against Paraguay and Australia, before its 3-2 los to Turkey Thursday night.
