US reporter apologises for dismissing Bosnia ahead of World Cup Round of 32 clash

ABC Los Angeles reporter Abigail Velez has apologised for comments she made about Bosnia and Herzegovina during a live broadcast previewing the United States’ World Cup Round of 32 fixture, which is scheduled for next Wednesday in San Francisco.

In the segment, Velez boasted that she could not point to Bosnia and Herzegovina on a map and had no desire to learn anything about the Balkan nation. “I don’t know the first thing about Bosnia [and Herzegovina], and I don’t want to know,” she said, adding that the USA were “back” and “better than ever” before issuing a direct taunt to the Bosnian side: “Get prepared, Bosnia, because you don’t want it.”

The clip spread rapidly across social media, drawing widespread criticism and a torrent of online abuse directed at Velez. By Saturday she felt compelled to issue a public statement.

“In a poor effort to have a little fun with World Cup competition, I took it too far and made a thoughtless comment on air that was insensitive and inappropriate,” she wrote. “I apologize to the people of Bosnia and the Bosnian Football team. The World Cup is supposed to be about uniting communities around the world, and my comment didn’t reflect that spirit.”

Mauricio Pochettino’s United States side will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 32 as they bid to record their first World Cup knockout-stage victory since defeating Mexico 2-0 in the Round of 16 at the 2002 tournament.

Bosnian and Herzegovina, a nation of under 3.5 million people, are among the smaller countries to have reached the knockout stage of this World Cup, alongside Cape Verde, who advanced after a stunning draw against Spain.