When Argentina international Angel Di Maria received a red card during a Champions League match on May 5, TV commentator Jim Beglin attributed the foul that led to the sending-off to the player’s “Latino temperament.”
Beglin rightly received instant condemnation for lazy stereotyping and was forced to issue an apology for his use of “culturally insensitive remarks."
The former Liverpool player, who was working the game for American broadcaster CBS, learned that not only have times changed in terms of what is acceptable on air, but that contemporary sporting fans around the globe have a greater understanding of the games they follow — and consequently higher expectations of those involved, whether they be players, management or media.
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