‘Don’t wanna know’: Reporter’s awkward World Cup live cross goes viral

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‘I don’t know the first thing about Bosnia, and I don’t wanna know,’ the American reporter boldly began.

An American reporter has gone viral for her disrespectful comments about the Bosnian World Cup soccer team.

ABC7 reporter Abigail Velez proudly claimed during her live cross following USMNT’s loss to Turkey that she couldn’t tell you where Bosnia was located on a map and didn’t know anything about the country.

“I could not point out where it is on a map,” Velez said during the ABC7 live news report.

“I don’t know the first thing about Bosnia, and I don’t wanna know.

“That’s because Team USA, we’re back, we’re better than ever. That’s next Wednesday.

“Get prepared, Bosnia, because you don’t want it. You don’t want it like that. But you’re gonna get it.”

Velez’s unnecessary commentary was met with outrage on social media, with many accusing her of ignorance and not representing the spirit of the game.

The official Bosnian Football account wrote on X: “My goodness, the stereotypes write themselves.”

They then added: “To make things worse, the President of ABC News is get this…a Bosnian!”

Football journalist Nima Tavallaey Roodsari said: “[Saying] ‘I can’t even find Bosnia on a map’ isn’t the mic drop moment you think it is.”

“Why would you wear ignorance as a badge of honour?” football commentator Kevin Hatchard wrote.

Velez issued an apology “to the people of Bosnia and the Bosnian Football team” with a statement posted to her social media accounts.

“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,” Velez said.

“I apologize to the people of Bosnia and the Bosnian Football team. 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.”

Main image: Abigail Velez. Image: ABC7 Los Angeles

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