Earlier this week we reported on the racist comments that overshadowed Belgium vs Iran. The story has now moved on to the apologies, with Rade Bogdanovic admitting wrongdoing and Serbian state broadcaster RTS also saying sorry for what went out live during the Belgium and Iran draw.
Bogdanovic's apology
Bogdanovic was back in the RTS studio a day after saying black players “lack the concentration to last more than 60 to 80 minutes”. He later told BBC Sport: “I sincerely apologise for my statement regarding black football players.”
The original remarks came while he was commentating on the goalless Group G match on RTS, and they were not made in isolation from the game itself. Nathan Ngoy had been sent off in the 66th minute for a professional foul, and Bogdanovic used the live broadcast to make a racist claim about black players and concentration.
RTS then said: “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.” The broadcaster also said Bogdanovic is not employed by the company, but has been working as an expert commentator for this summer's tournament.
What RTS had to answer for
The apologies do not erase where this leaves the story. Bogdanovic's remarks were the defining moment from a 0-0 match, and they were delivered on a public broadcaster during live tournament coverage.
Belgium are third in Group G after draws with Iran and Egypt, while Iran are second. That is the backdrop, but it is not the point. The point is that a goalless draw was turned into a racism story by an on-air pundit, and RTS has now had to apologise on the record.
Bogdanovic has apologised, RTS has apologised, and the broadcaster has already had to explain why an expert commentator was still on air after remarks that were condemned as racist.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
