ABC Los Angeles reporter Abigail Velez issued a public apology after making “insensitive and inappropriate” on-air comments at the World Cup this summer
An American reporter has been forced to apologise following ‘inappropriate’ remarks about Bosnia and Herzegovina after they were confirmed as the United States’ opponents in the last 32 of the World Cup.
ABC Los Angeles reporter Abigail Velez recorded a news segment last week bragging that she doesn’t “know the first thing” about the Balkan nation. Mauricio Pochettino’s squad are hoping to secure their first World Cup knockout triumph since beating Mexico 2-0 in the last 16 at the 2002 tournament.
The United States men’s national team are poised to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup’s Round of 32 next Wednesday in San Francisco. Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of under 3.5 million, rank among the smaller countries to have reached the World Cup knockout phase, alongside Cape Verde following the African nation’s remarkable draw against Spain.
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Velez faced a barrage of online criticism after the footage circulated across multiple social media platforms. By Saturday, she felt obliged to release a public apology.
“In a poor effort to have a little fun with World Cup competition, I took it too far and made a thoughtless comment on air that was insensitive and inappropriate,” she posted.
“I apologize to the people of Bosnia and the Bosnian Football team. The World Cup is supposed to be about uniting communities around the world, and my comment didn’t reflect that spirit.
“Wishing all the teams the very best as they continue their World Cup journey.”
Velez’s initial broadcast was eerily similar to Donald Trump’s signature style, who regularly brags about American superiority while flaunting his lack of knowledge on international matters.
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The ABC correspondent stated: “Okay, the next round Team USA will play Bosnia next Wednesday, and one thing about Bosnia is I could not point out where it is on a map.
“I don’t know the first thing about Bosnia [and Herzegovina], and I don’t want to know. That’s because Team USA. We’re back. We’re better than ever.
“That’s next Wednesday. Get prepared, Bosnia, because you don’t want it. You don’t want it like that, but you’re gonna get it. That’s next Wednesday.”