Serbian pundit Bogdanović faces backlash after racist on-air comments about Belgium's Ngoy at World Cup

Former professional footballer Rade Bogdanović has been condemned after making racist comments about Black players on live television during Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Iran in World Cup Group G on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Bogdanović, 56, was working as a pundit for Serbian national broadcaster RTS when he offered his assessment of Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy’s red card in the 66th minute. Ngoy, 23, was dismissed for a last-man foul while earning just his sixth international cap.

“I’ve always said these players, and I’m not racist, but black players don’t have the concentration to last more than 60 to 80 minutes,” Bogdanović said on air. “I played with them. Sometimes we had to protect our own players from making mistakes. Modern football doesn’t allow this kind of error at World Cup level.”

When challenged by the presenter, Bogdanović doubled down rather than retracting the remarks. “If we wanted to go into details, we could,” he said. “Of course I’m not generalising, but the majority lack concentration and then situations like this happen.”

Bogdanović had a playing career that included spells at Atletico Madrid, Werder Bremen, and the Yugoslavia national team before retiring.

The result itself was a damaging one for Belgium, who had also drawn their opening Group G fixture against Egypt. The star-studded Belgian side now face the prospect of an early elimination from the tournament.

Elsewhere in Group G, Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 and move to the top of the standings. Mohamed Salah scored the crucial second goal, helping Egypt claim their first ever World Cup victory in the nation’s fourth appearance at the tournament. Iran, meanwhile, picked up their second successive point after their earlier 2-2 draw with New Zealand.