Media

CBS Sports commentator apologizes for ‘culturally insensitive remarks’ about soccer player

by John Bowden - 05/05/21 9:38 AM ET

A CBS Sports contributor has apologized after making remarks about an Argentinian soccer player that were condemned on social media as insensitive and possibly racist.

Jim Beglin, a former Irish professional soccer player-turned-commentator for CBS Sports, RTÉ and other networks, apologized in a tweet after facing online criticism for a comment made about Paris Saint-Germain’s Angel Di Maria during a match with Manchester City.

After Di Maria was given a red card during the match and left the pitch, Beglin commented: “It’s that Latino temperament.”

Jim Beglin for God’s sake, there was no need for that pic.twitter.com/FFkxRIb1AA https://t.co/4E7KjX5u1d

— Roberto Rojas (@RobertoRojas97) May 4, 2021

His remarks were immediately noticed on social media, with many calling him to apologize or face disciplinary action from the network.

When are we gonna talk about commentators and their sly racism? https://t.co/6s7qU8l9T3

— Egbon Greenwood (@cadeaudedieu16) May 4, 2021

I winced. It’s the type of stuff British commentators used to say all the time (yes I know Beglin is Irish) https://t.co/6u8uboOtKJ

— Lawrence Hurley (@lawrencehurley) May 4, 2021

Beglin apologized in a statement shared on Twitter Tuesday evening, writing that his words were “inappropriate and unacceptable,” adding that he “fully understand[s] the severity of what I said.”