Belgium’s Rudi Garcia Backtracks After His ‘Those Teams’ Comment Sparks Controversy

Belgium boss Rudi Garcia spent Thursday cleaning up a mess of his own making. After his team pulled off a wild 3-2 extra time win over Senegal in the World Cup round of 32, the French coach made some comments that didn’t sit well with a lot of people.

Here’s what happened. Senegal was up 2-0 with five minutes left in regulation. Looked done. Then Romelu Lukaku scored. Then Youri Tielemans scored. Game goes to extra time. Tielemans hits a penalty in the 125th minute. Belgium escapes. That’s the short version.

Right after the final whistle, Garcia told TV cameras: “We know those teams, they lose their tactical structure towards the end of the match.” He added that when they were up 2-0, Senegal made what he called “a grave mistake” by going into full protect-the-goal mode. Garcia even said: “Remind me when we’re leading 2-0 not to do that.”

Now, saying “those teams” about Senegal — an African side — and talking about losing tactical structure? People noticed. Fast. Social media lit up. Some called it condescending. Others said it was a straight-up dig at African football.

Garcia saw the backlash and jumped on Instagram to clarify. He said when he referenced “those teams,” he meant teams that aren’t used to managing a lead at a high-level World Cup. He insisted it wasn’t about Africa specifically.

“My comments were by no means aimed at African teams,” he wrote. He added that his point could have applied to “Asian, South American or European teams unfamiliar with such pressure.” Garcia even acknowledged his own inexperience in those situations. “As a less experienced coach myself, I learned the hard way that stopping play to defend a result at all costs is counterproductive.”

That last part is funny because Opta dug up the receipts. During Garcia’s time coaching in Ligue 1 with Lille, Marseille, and others, he managed three separate games where his team blew a 2-0 lead and lost. So maybe he knows a thing or two about what not to do.

Garcia’s resume is legit — he won a Ligue 1 and French Cup double with Lille in 2011, coached Roma and Napoli in Serie A — but he hasn’t been with Belgium long. He took over in January last year. The win over Senegal sets up a round of 16 match against the U.S. in Seattle on Monday.