Dunga apologises for comments about people of African descent: ' ... does not reflect my feelings'

Hailing from a country where race is an extremely sensitive subject, Brazil manager Dunga made a comment Friday that was bound to trigger criticism.

Asked to compare the Selecao's current squad to the one he captained at the 1994 World Cup, Dunga replied by finding fault with the 1994 team, saying: "Everything we did was bad. I even think I am an Afro-descendant because I get hit so much. People look at me and think: 'I'll have a go at him.'"

While many on social media were quick to refer to Dunga's remark as racist, the sad reality of South America is that - just like in many other corners of the globe - players of African descent are subjected to second-class treatment.

On Saturday, Dunga apologised via a statement that was published on the Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol's official website.

"I want to apologise to all those who could have felt offended with my comment about Afro-descendants," Dunga said, as translated by the Guardian. "The way I expressed myself does not reflect my feelings or opinions."