Former Atletico Madrid assistant manager German Burgos had to apologise on Spanish television after a comment about Barcelona‘s Lamine Yamal that provoked an interview boycott from both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Former Atletico keeper Burgos, working as a pundit on Movistar Plus, was speaking over images of the Barcelona youngster juggling the ball along the touchline ahead of Barca’s game against PSG.
He said: ‘If it doesn’t go well for him, he could end up at a traffic light.’ The comment was a reference to people who juggle for change at traffic lights.
It was condemned online as insensitive at best and at worst racist and when both clubs involved in the tie said they would not be offering up post-match interviews to the channel until they made an on air apology, first from the interview area of the Parc des Princes and then back in the studio.
Burgos said: ‘It was a comment made without the intention of hurting anyone. If anyone felt offended, I apologise publicly.’
Former Atletico Madrid assistant manager German Burgos had to apologise on Spanish television after a comment about Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal
Burgos made a comment about Barca’s 16-year-old star Lamine Yamal pre-match in Paris
Players from both clubs involved in the tie said they would not be offering up post match interviews to the channel Burgos was working for
Presenter Ricardo Sierra also commented on the incident, adding: ‘I understand that many spectators expected us to have a conversation or interview with Barca.
‘But PSG and Barca have notified us that they were not going to attend to us because they were tremendously angry with a comment that was made on our set.’
Players and staff from both teams did fulfil post-match media commitments with other broadcasters covering the thrilling Champions League quarter-final.
54-year-old Burgos previously worked under current Atletico boss Diego Simeone before leaving four-years ago with ambitions to become a head coach elsewhere.
An unsuccessful stint with famed Argentina side Newell’s Old Boys followed before later moving to manage in the Greece Super League.
Yamal has been the breakthrough story at Barcelona this season, with the 16-year-old leading the La Masia academy charge by cementing a spot as a regular in the club’s first-team
Meanwhile, Yamal has been the breakthrough story at Barcelona this season, with the 16-year-old leading the La Masia academy charge by cementing a spot as a regular in the club’s first-team.
The teenager starred in Paris on Wednesday as Barcelona capitalised on mistakes by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to claim a valuable 3-2 first-leg away win.
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