Serbian pundit Rade Bogdanovic apologises for racist remarks on live World Cup broadcast

Former Serbian footballer Rade Bogdanovic has apologised after racist comments he made on Serbian broadcaster RTS during its World Cup coverage drew widespread backlash. The ex-Atletico Madrid and Werder Bremen striker claimed on air that “Black players lack concentration beyond 60 to 80 minutes” — a remark that prompted condemnation on social media and, eventually, apologies from both Bogdanovic and the network.

The comments were made late on Sunday night during coverage of Belgium’s Group G goalless draw with Iran. Bogdanovic made the remark in the context of a discussion about the red card shown to Belgian defender Nathan Ngoy in the 66th minute, after Ngoy brought down Iran forward Mehdi Taremi when he was through on goal. When the programme’s host challenged the assertion, Bogdanovic doubled down, saying “the majority lack concentration.”

Despite the immediate backlash on social media, RTS included Bogdanovic in its punditry line-up for Argentina’s game against Austria the following day before the apologies were issued.

In a statement to Reuters, Bogdanovic said: “I sincerely apologise for my statement regarding Black football players.” RTS also issued a formal apology, clarifying that the 56-year-old is not a staff employee but had been “engaged as an expert commentator for the duration of the tournament.” The broadcaster added: “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 earned three caps for Yugoslavia in 1997, also playing in South Korea and Japan during his career.

On the pitch, Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Iran — a result shaped in large part by a commanding performance from Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand — leaves Group G tightly contested. Iran sit second after two draws, the first time they have avoided defeat in their opening two World Cup matches. Rudi Garcia’s Belgium are third, with the battle for qualification from the group still wide open.