Orange superfan should know nothing about Qatar and will stay at home for the first time in about 50 years

Since the 1974 World Cup in Germany, Ab has been there, except in 1978 in Argentina. In total, De Andijker was present at 17 European and World Championships, completely in orange. Recognizable, as he says himself, by his tits and known for the countless times he made fountains turn orange. “I was arrested quite a few times for that, but I was immediately released if I only promised to clean the fountain,” he says with a big smile.

‘Terrible that guest workers are being beaten to death’

The Orange fan gets serious when it comes to Qatar. On principle he does not want to go there, although he is sitting in front of the TV in his orange suit. “I’m a football fanatic. I watch for football, but I don’t want to go to Qatar. I think it’s terrible what is happening: with women, gays and guest workers who are being beaten to death. I don’t agree with that. And there there’s nothing to do there.”

Because atmosphere is almost more important to 74-year-old Ab than football itself. It is therefore striking that during the match against Senegal he is often more concerned about the atmosphere in the stadium than the match itself. “That match will be fine. It will be 2-0.” They later turn out to be prophetic words.

Not paid as a fan to Qatar

Back to the atmosphere. According to Ab, you can’t even speak of that. “There are two thousand Dutch people in Qatar. And fifty of them are paid to go there. That was also offered to me, but I did not want to go. For the rest it is all fake.” He hears stories. That people have to spend the night in a kind of container. “And they have to pay 13.50 euros for that one beer that they can drink in the fan zone.”

He has no regrets afterwards either. Although it also makes a difference that the Dutch national team defeated Senegal 2-0. “I had indeed predicted it correctly. That is not a good sign, because I also predicted that Brazil will win the final against Argentina,” he says with a laugh.

But despite that, he will be back home on Friday in front of the tube, dressed in orange. In the meantime, perhaps already musing about the European Championship that will be held in Germany in 2024. And where the fountains may turn orange again as usual.