A reporter from ABC7 Los Angeles has issued an apology for her “insensitive” remarks regarding Bosnia during a World Cup broadcast, which quickly gained traction online. This awkward moment escalated when it was highlighted that Armin Karamedovic, the president of ABC News, hails from Bosnia.
“In an attempt to inject some humor into the broadcast, I unfortunately went too far with my comments,” Abigail Velez noted in an Instagram apology.
She expressed regret to the Bosnian community as well as the national football team.
Velez was hosting ABC7 Eyewitness News from a World Cup viewing party in Long Beach. This came right after the United States faced a loss against Turkey, with a score of 3-2.
While discussing the upcoming match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, she remarked on the U.S. team’s strong defense.
“One thing about Bosnia is that I wasn’t exactly sure where it was on the map,” Velez shared. “Honestly, I don’t know much about Bosnia, and I really don’t care to know because Team USA is back and stronger than ever.”
“So, Bosnia, get ready. We don’t want it to happen, but, well, it’s going to,” she added.
These comments drew immediate criticism from the Bosnian national football team, which is competing in its second World Cup as an independent nation.
The team’s official X account humorously remarked, “Oh my god, the stereotype writes itself…” which has garnered over 11 million views.
They further emphasized that ABC News president Armin Karamedovic is of Bosnian descent, stating, “What’s worse is that she said this so confidently!”
Velez later updated her original post with an apology, igniting a debate among social media users.
Reactions varied; while some considered her comments a lighthearted joke, others labeled her as ignorant and insensitive.
“The World Cup is designed to bring people together, and my remarks didn’t embody that intention,” Velez concluded in her statement. “We wish all teams the best as they continue their World Cup journey.”
Armin Karamedovic, originally from Sarajevo, took on the role of ABC News president in 2024. He has previously expressed his commitment to the integrity and responsibility of news reporting.
