ABC7 Reporter Faces Backlash for Insensitive Comments on Bosnia During World Cup Coverage
Controversial Remarks During Live Report
A reporter from ABC7 Los Angeles has issued an apology following significant backlash for her remarks regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina during a live broadcast about the FIFA World Cup. Abigail Velez, who joined the station in late 2025, made her comments while covering a watch party for the U.S. national team in Long Beach, California, after their 3-2 defeat to Turkey.
While previewing the upcoming match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Velez made a joke about her inability to find the country on a map. She stated, "The next round, Team USA will face Bosnia next Wednesday, and honestly, I couldn't point it out on a map. I don't know much about Bosnia, and I don't care to know because Team USA is back and better than ever." She concluded her segment with a direct message to Bosnia, saying, "Get ready, Bosnia, because you don’t want it like that, but it’s coming your way."
Online Backlash Follows
Her comments quickly went viral on social media, drawing criticism from Bosnian fans and others who found her remarks disrespectful. The popular account Bosnian Football shared the clip, commenting, "My goodness, the stereotypes write themselves." Many users expressed that while competitive banter is typical in sports, Velez's comments were inappropriate. One user remarked, "Some competitive talk is always fun, but that’s not the way to do it," while another questioned why some Americans take pride in their ignorance of other countries' locations.
Public Apology Issued
In response to the growing criticism, Velez took to social media on Saturday to apologize, admitting that her attempt at humor was misguided. "In a misguided effort to inject some fun into the World Cup competition, I made a thoughtless comment that was insensitive and inappropriate," she stated. She extended her apologies to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as their national football team, emphasizing that the World Cup should foster unity among global communities, a sentiment her comment did not convey. She wished all teams the best in their World Cup endeavors.
Upcoming Match Details
This incident arises just before a crucial knockout-round match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina, set for Wednesday at a stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area. The U.S. team topped Group D with six points from three matches, while Bosnia advanced from Group B as one of the best third-placed teams, securing four points. This match will be pivotal in determining which team progresses in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage.