SI

CBS's Jim Beglin Apologizes for Attributing Di María Red Card to 'Latino Temperament'

CBS Sports announcer Jim Beglin referred to Ángel Di Maria's "Latino temperament" as the reason behind his red card against Man City on Tuesday.

Andrew Gastelum

CBS's Jim Beglin Apologizes for Attributing Di María Red Card to 'Latino Temperament'
CBS's Jim Beglin Apologizes for Attributing Di María Red Card to 'Latino Temperament' /

CBS Sports announcer Jim Beglin apologized mid-broadcast after attributing PSG's Ángel Di María red card to "that Latino temperament" in PSG's 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League semifinals Tuesday. 

Beglin, a former Liverpool defender who retired in 1991, made the remark after Di María was sent off for stomping his foot down on Man City captain Fernandinho during a stoppage in play in the 69th minute. 

Within 10 minutes, the CBS commentator walked back his comment.

"When Di María was sent off, I described it by using the word Latino," Beglin said during the CBS Sports Network broadcast. "For anybody that's taken offense, I sincerely apologize."

The red card—PSG's 10th of the season in all competitions—set the French champions down a man for the final 20 minutes as they tried in vain to climb back from a 4-1 aggregate deficit without injured star Kylian Mbappé. 

Behind Riyad Mahrez's two goals, Manchester City advanced to its first-ever Champions League final on May 29, where it will face either Real Madrid or Chelsea. It could be an eventful week for City as a win on Saturday against Chelsea will secure its fifth Premier League title in the last nine years. 

Beglin later issued a statement, apologizing for his "culturally insensitive remarks."

"I wrongly used a racial stereotype," Beglin wrote. "This was inappropriate and unacceptable. Words have a strong impact and I fully understand the severity of what I said when Angel Di María was sent off. I will learn from this and be better moving forward." 

More Soccer Coverage:

Published
Andrew Gastelum
ANDREW GASTELUM

Andrew Gastelum is a programming editor and writer at Sports Illustrated who specializes in soccer, the Olympics and international sports. He joined the SI staff in March 2021 and previously contributed to Howler Magazine and NBC Sports. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame alum and is currently based in Italy.

Home/Soccer