Accusation of racism
Van der Vaart apologizes after statement about Japanese
June 18, 2026 – 1:01 a.mReading time: 1 min.
Rafael van der Vaart says in his analysis as a World Cup expert that all Japanese look the same. After criticism, the ex-HSV professional makes a statement.
Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart has apologized for a discriminatory statement about Japan’s footballers during the Oranje team’s first World Cup group game. At the same time, the former Hamburger SV professional explained that there was “no racist or discriminatory intent” behind his statements, as emerged from a statement reported by “The Athletic”.
As a TV pundit, van der Vaart said during the 2-2 draw between the Netherlands and Japan that the Japanese players all looked the same. He was trying to explain why the Dutch defense had lost sight of Japan’s Daichi Kamada during the late equalizer. Immediately after the statement, van der Vaart said it was a joke.
- World Cup 2026: All information in the news blog
- “Nothing wrong with that”: Rüdiger defends Nmecha
Afterwards there was criticism. British anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out told The Athletic: “It is deeply disappointing to hear former players spreading racist stereotypes about the Japanese team and then upping the ante by trying to defend the comments as a joke.”
Van der Vaart said he “never wanted to offend, hurt or discriminate against anyone.” “I understand that some people found my statements hurtful. I deeply regret that. If I have disappointed people, I offer my apology.”