Controversy as commentator makes Latino reference after Di Maria's red!

Angel Di Maria's red card was an inexplicable act by the Argentinian, but one commentator's description of events has led to him getting in trouble. 

When the PSG man was given his marching orders, Jim Beglin, the co-commentator on the international feed said "it's that Latino temperament" to explain Di Maria losing his cool. 

Beglin was working for 'CBS' in the USA and the coverage was also taken by other broadcasters. His comments caused uproar on social media. Around 10 or 15 minutes afte the incident, the Irishman apologised on air for his choice of words: "When Di Maria was sent off, I described it by using the word Latino. For anybody that’s taken offence, I do apologise, sincerely apologise."

After the match, Beglin once again apologised, this time on Twitter: "I apologise for my culturally insensitive remarks during the Champions League tie between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. I wrongly used a racial stereotype. This was inappropriate and unacceptable. Words have a strong impact, and I fully understand the severity of what I said when Angel Di Maria was sent off. I will learn from this and be better moving forward."

The commentary was not heard in the United Kingdom as 'BT' used their own commentary team. It brought back memories of when 'Sky Sports' were forced to apologise after Graeme Souness called Erik Lamela's theatrics to get Anthony Martial sent off "Latin" when Man Utd were thumped by Tottenham earlier in the season. 

 

May 4, 2021

 

May 4, 2021