Former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart has apologized after a racist “joke” towards players of the Japanese team on the sidelines of the match against the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup.
A “joke” in very bad taste. Consultant for Dutch television, Rafael van der Vaart (43) made racist remarks against the players of the Japanese team on Sunday, on the sidelines of the match against the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup (2-2). And faced with the numerous reactions caused by his release, Rafael van der Vaart apologized in a press release.
“No racist or discriminatory intent”
“I understand that some people found my words hurtful. I sincerely regret this. If any people were offended by these comments, I apologize to them. “It was absolutely not my intention,” he assured, affirming that he had “no racist or discriminatory intention.”
During an analysis of the meeting between the two countries, the former Dutch international returned to the Japanese equalizing goal from a corner at the end of the match. When reviewing the images, he criticized Micky Van de Ven’s marking on Daichi Kamada, who scored the equalizing header. “If you are the one who marks him, you have to keep your player. Look, he’s completely different! Micky Van de Ven is nowhere. So he (Daichi Kamada, editor’s note) has all the space to make his head,” he initially lamented.
 Before draping. “They all look the same, after all. Maybe that’s why,” said the former midfielder, who notably played for Real Madrid. “It’s a joke, of course. I’m afraid I won’t be able to say anything at all anymore,” he hastened to add. But the damage was done.
