Former Yugoslav international and Atlético Madrid striker Rade Bogdanovic has ignited widespread outrage after making a racist remark about Black players during Serbia’s public broadcaster coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Belgium and Iran.
The 56‑year‑old, working as a studio analyst for RTS, claimed that Black players “lack concentration beyond 60 to 80 minutes” while discussing Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy’s 66th‑minute red card in the goalless draw in Los Angeles.
The Comments
During the late‑night programme, Bogdanovic prefaced his statement by saying he was “really not racist” before asserting:
“I have always said those players – and I’m really not racist – but Black players lack the concentration to last more than 60 to 80 minutes. When we played, we sometimes had to protect our own players to stop them making mistakes.”
When challenged by the host, the one‑time Atlético Madrid man doubled down, insisting that “the majority lack concentration.”
Reaction and Response
The comments drew immediate condemnation across social media platforms, with many viewers and anti‑discrimination groups calling for action. Yet, RTS did not issue any apology or statement distancing itself from Bogdanovic’s remarks. Instead, the broadcaster invited him back the following day to serve as an analyst for the Argentina‑Austria fixture, a decision that has further fuelled criticism.
Neither Belgium’s football association nor FIFA have commented publicly on the incident at the time of writing.
Bogdanovic’s Background
Bogdanovic began his career at Željezničar in Sarajevo before spells in South Korea and Japan. He later played in Spain for Atlético Madrid and in Germany with Werder Bremen, earning three caps for Yugoslavia in 1997.
Key Takeaways
- Rade Bogdanovic made a racist generalisation about Black players’ concentration live on Serbian public TV.
- The comment was made during analysis of Belgium’s 0‑0 draw with Iran at the 2026 World Cup.
- RTS neither apologised nor removed Bogdanovic, instead using him again the next day.
- Social media reaction has been fiercely critical, with calls for accountability.
- The incident raises fresh questions about the vetting of pundits at major tournaments.
Quick Facts
Pundit: Rade Bogdanović (former Yugoslavia forward)
Match: Belgium 0‑0 Iran, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G
Comment target: Nathan Ngoy (Belgium defender)
Broadcaster: RTS (Serbian public service)
Response: No apology issued; Bogdanović re‑employed the next day
Source: The Guardian