"Black players lose concentration after 60 minutes": Shocking racist remarks by Serbian commentator 'finally' led to an apology

*This content was translated by AI.

Racist remarks, strictly prohibited and condemned by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), were made off the field. The author of the shocking comments has finally bowed his head.

According to the British outlet Mirror, on the 22nd (Korean time), Radovan Bogdanović, a commentator for Serbian public broadcaster RTS covering the Group G match between Belgium and Iran at the Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, California, said, "Black players lose concentration after 60 to 80 minutes."

The remarks came after Belgian defender Nathan Aké was sent off in the 11th minute of the second half for tripping Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi.

Having played for Werder Bremen, he added, "I have always spoken about these players. I am by no means a racist, but Black players lack the concentration to last beyond 60 to 80 minutes. I have played alongside them myself. Sometimes we had to protect our players from making mistakes. In modern football, especially at the World Cup level, such mistakes are not tolerated."

The caster immediately raised an objection to Bogdanović's comments, but the 56th-year-old commentator, showing firm conviction, further insisted that "most of them lack concentration."

Despite fierce condemnation online, RTS still sent him as a commentator for the Group J match between Argentina and Austria held on the 23rd.

Bogdanović later apologized for his remarks. In an interview with Reuters, he stated, "I sincerely apologize for my comments regarding Black football players."

RTS also bowed its head through a separate statement, saying, "As a broadcaster, we would like to apologize on this occasion for remarks made about members of a specific race in our program."

This incident occurred as FIFA, last week, marked the "World Day Against Hate Speech," intensifying efforts against discrimination and war. To reaffirm its resolve to "end discrimination and protect football," FIFA launched the "Influential Stadium Campaign" in Atlanta, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, and Vancouver where matches were held, and national team captains exchanged special commemorative pennants inscribed with the home languages of participating countries on one side and the English translation "WE PLAY TOGETHER. WE STAND AGAINST HATE" on the other.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized, "Hate speech has no place in football, nor anywhere in our society. On the occasion of the World Day Against Hate Speech, we once again pledge our tireless commitment to eradicate all forms of discriminatory abuse. Targeting players, coaches, and match officials is an attack on football itself. We have an obligation to protect them and to shield fans from hateful language and the notion that such behavior is acceptable."

He further added, "That is why we have strengthened FIFA's disciplinary regulations, launched the 'No Racism' campaign, and empowered players, coaches, and match officials through the 'No Racism' gesture. Hate speech is a systemic challenge that requires strong solidarity to combat."

Although the remarks did not come from players, such comments at FIFA's biggest event in four years inevitably sparked major controversy. Ignorance cannot be an excuse for racism.

A Mexican football fan who made a gesture of tearing his eyes while addressing Korean spectators at the stadium eventually faced a painful blow, resigning from his position as president of a local civil engineering, topography, geometry, and engineering association, even after posting an apology video on social networking services (SNS) as the controversy spread.

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*This content was translated by AI.