Jim Beglin apologizes for saying Angel Di Maria had ‘Latino temperament’

While Manchester City were busy carving up Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal, fans took notice of an off-color remark from CBS Sports analyst Jim Beglin.

Following the red card of PSG midfielder Angel Di Maria for stomping on City’s Fernandinho, Beglin (poorly) attempted to add some context to the act.

“It’s that Latino temperament,” he said as Di Maria walked off the field in 70th minute.

Video of the incident quickly spread across social media, and Beglin apologized during the broadcast roughly 10 minutes later.

“When Di María was sent off, I described it by using the word Latino,” Beglin said during the second half of City’s 2-0 win. “For anybody that’s taken offense, I sincerely apologize.”

The former Liverpool and Ireland player then released an extended statement on Twitter after the match, again apologizing for his choice of words.

“I wrongly used a racial stereotype,” Beglin said. “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.” 

The red card was the Paris club’s second in the tie, as Idrissa Gueye was also dismissed for a rash challenge in the first leg.

Manchester City will play the winner of Real Madrid-Chelsea on May 29.