[Anchor]
Rade Bogdanovic, a Serbian former professional soccer player who rose to fame as a star foreign athlete in South Korea during the 1990s, has come under fire for making racist remarks.
Reporter Hong Seok-jun has the story.
[Reporter]
Rade Bogdanovic, who joined Pohang in 1992 and played as a top-tier striker in the K League, sparked controversy yesterday (June 22) after making racist comments during a broadcast regarding the sending-off of Belgium's Ngoy during the match against Iran.
[Rade Bogdanovic / Serbian Soccer Commentator: I have always said this. I am really not a racist, but Black players cannot maintain concentration for more than 60 minutes.]
Although Rade and the broadcasting station issued apologies, Rade appeared again today to commentate on the second match between Argentina and Austria, drawing fierce protests from some viewers.
Comments made by a female host on the YouTube channel of the influential French media outlet L'Equipe have also stirred controversy.
She faced backlash for criticizing Belgian player Doku for taking "paternity leave" during the World Cup.
[France Pierron / L'Equipe YouTube Host: Leaving the World Cup to go see the birth of a child? I'm sorry, but the father is useless at the moment of birth. He's just a supporting actor! It's just about taking a photo, that's all.]
As the backlash intensified, L'Equipe suspended the host, drawing a line by stating it was the "individual opinion of the host." Meanwhile, Doku was with his wife for the birth and became a father today, and his national team teammate Tielemans sent a message of support to Doku.
[Youri Tielemans / Belgian National Soccer Team Midfielder: Having a child is the most beautiful thing in the world. Whether as a father or a mother, it is only natural to be there for the moment of birth.]
Ghana's key player Thomas Partey, who missed the first match due to Canada's refusal of entry following his indictment on "sexual assault charges," will be able to play in the second match against England, which will be held in Boston, USA, tomorrow (June 24).
Unlike Canada, U.S. authorities issued a visa, stating that "a guilty verdict has not been finalized."
Reported by Hong Seok-jun | Video by Ha Seong-won | Graphics by Kang Yoon-jung | Produced by SBS Digital News
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