An ABC7 Los Angeles journalist has issued an apology after comments she made about Bosnia during World Cup coverage were criticized online as “insensitive” — a controversy that became even more uncomfortable when Bosnia’s national team noted that ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic is himself Bosnian.
Posting on Instagram, Abigail Vélez said, “In a poor effort to have a little fun with World Cup competition, I took it too far and made a thoughtless comment on air that was insensitive and inappropriate.”
She also directed an apology to the Bosnian people and to the Bosnian Football Team.
Vélez was reporting for ABC7 Eyewitness News on Thursday from a World Cup watch party in Long Beach, shortly after the U.S. team fell 3-2 to Turkey.
As she looked ahead to Team USA’s next World Cup matchup against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vélez shifted into an enthusiastic defense of the American squad.
“One thing about Bosnia, I could not point out where it is on a map,” Vélez said during the segment.
She went on to say: “I don’t know the first thing about Bosnia and I don’t want to know because Team USA, we’re back, we’re better than ever.
“Get prepared Bosnia, because you don’t want it like that, but you’re gonna get it.”
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The comments quickly drew a response from Bosnia-Herzegovina’s national football team, which is competing in its second-ever men’s World Cup as an independent nation.
“My goodness, the stereotypes write themselves…” the team’s official X account posted in a message that has since been viewed more than 11 million times.
The team doubled down in the comments, pointing out that ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic is Bosnian before adding: “The worst part is the confidence that she said this with!”
They later shared her apology as an update to its original post, with the controversy splitting social media users.
Some dismissed Vélez’s remarks as harmless sports banter, while others blasted them as ignorant and insensitive.
“The World Cup is supposed to be about uniting communities around the world, and my comment didn’t reflect that spirit.
“Wishing all the teams the very best as they continue their World Cup journey,” her statement concluded.
Almin Karamehmedovic is from Sarajevo and was appointed president of ABC News in 2024.
“I approach this role with great respect and humility, not only for the hundreds of colleagues around the world whose tireless contributions fuel ABC News’ unwavering and unbiased reporting, but also for the viewers we serve,” Karamehmedovic said at the time.
