BELGRADE, June 22 (Reuters) - Former Serbia footballer ⁠Rade Bogdanovic, who now works as a commentator ‌for the Serbian public broadcaster RTS, has apologised for making racist remarks during a live World Cup broadcast of Sunday's match ​between Belgium and Iran.

The ex-striker, who ⁠played for Atletico Madrid ⁠and won the German Cup with Werder Bremen, drew ⁠heavy ‌criticism from local and international media for questioning the focus and stamina of Black ⁠players after the Group G game ended ​in a goalless ‌draw.

"I sincerely apologise for my statement regarding Black ⁠football players," ​Bogdanovic, 56, said in a statement to Reuters.

RTS also issued an official apology to its viewers.

"We would like ⁠to inform the public that Mr ​Rade Bogdanovic is not employed by our company, but has been engaged as an expert commentator for the duration ⁠of the tournament," the RTS Board said in a statement.

"We would like to take this opportunity to apologise, as a broadcaster, for the statement made in ​our programme concerning members of ⁠a particular race."

The Royal Belgian Football Association did not ​immediately respond to a request for ‌comment.

(Reporting by Ivana Sekularac and ​Fedja Grulovic in Belgrade, additional reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk, Editing by Ken Ferris)