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ABC7 Reporter Apologizes After Viral Backlash Over Bosnia Comment

6/29/2026

30 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Velez Apologizes

ABC7 reporter Abigail Velez apologized after her June 28 remarks about Bosnia were deemed insensitive.
Velez claimed she could not locate Bosnia on a map and urged the team to “get prepared” for U.S. match.
The clip aired after the U.S. 3-2 loss to Turkey and before the Bosnia Round of 32 match.
It later amassed over 10 million views on X and Instagram and drew criticism from the Bosnian Football X account.

Summary

Velez Issues Apology

Abigail Velez recorded a controversial segment during the week of June 21-27, 2026, before it aired on ABC Los Angeles.
The on-air commentary was explicitly compared to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trademark boasting of American supremacy while showing ignorance of foreign affairs.
Velez posted a written apology on Saturday, June 26, 2026, calling her remarks “inappropriate” and “thoughtless.”

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Velez Apologizes

ABC7 reporter Abigail Velez apologized after her June 28 remarks about Bosnia were deemed insensitive.
Velez claimed she could not locate Bosnia on a map and urged the team to “get prepared” for U.S. match.
The clip aired after the U.S. 3-2 loss to Turkey and before the Bosnia Round of 32 match.
It later amassed over 10 million views on X and Instagram and drew criticism from the Bosnian Football X account.

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