A World Cup television pundit is facing backlash for racist comments after Nathan Ngoy was sent off for Belgium.
Former Atletico Madrid forward Rade Bogdanovic was a pundit on RTS – Serbia’s national broadcaster – for their coverage of Belgium’s surprise draw with Iran on Sunday.
The flashpoint of the game came when Ngoy was dismissed in the 66th minute for a last-man foul, which has left Belgium’s chance of getting out of the group in jeopardy, having drawn both of their matches thus far.
The incident prompted foul post-match analysis from Bogdanovic, who claimed that black players do not have the concentration levels required to complete a 90 minute match. Lille defender Ngoy, 23, was making only his sixth appearance for Belgium.
Ngoy was dismissed in the 66th minute for a last-man foul
Rade Bogdanovic was a pundit on RTS – Serbia’s national broadcaster – for their coverage of Belgium’s surprise draw with Iran on Sunday
‘At this level, to be the last defender, to miss a ball that is standing still and then get sent off… 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,’ Bogdanovic said.
‘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.
‘If we wanted to go into details, we could. They make mistakes too. Of course, I’m not generalising, but the majority lack concentration and then situations like this happen.’
Despite the show’s presenter challenging his view while on air, Bogdanovic remained steadfast in his opinion.
It remains to be seen whether he will face retrospective punishment from the broadcaster.
