Former Serbian international Rade Bogdanović has ignited a firestorm of criticism after making racist comments about black footballers during a live broadcast on Serbia’s public broadcaster, RTS.
While analyzing a World Cup match between Belgium and Iran, the pundit asserted that black players do not possess the mental focus required to sustain performance for more than 60 to 80 minutes on the pitch.
Bogdanović, a former striker for clubs including Red Star Belgrade and the Serbian national team, doubled down on his remarks by stating that he had played alongside such players and often had to cover for their mistakes.
The comments were made during a segment discussing a red card issued to an Iranian defender, but quickly spiraled into a broader controversy regarding racial stereotypes in sports commentary.
The backlash has been swift, with critics condemning the remarks as discriminatory and unprofessional.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding racial bias in European football media, particularly during high-profile tournaments like the World Cup.