Van der Vaart faces backlash for racist remarks about Japan's players 2026

Ex-Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart apologized after saying Japan players 'all look alike' during a World Cup game.

Japan fight back to share points Japan staged a late comeback to secure a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands. The match saw Micky van de Ven fail to track Koki Ogawa's run that led to Japan's equalizing goal in stoppage time. The result highlighted Japan's resilience in the tournament. Both teams now have one point from their opening fixture. ## Pundit's controversial comment sparks outrage Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart, who appeared as a TV analyst for NOS TV, made the statement 'They all look alike, of course, maybe he thought that.' while commenting on Van de Ven's defensive error. Van der Vaart, a 109-time capped player and 2010 World Cup finalist, later issued a public apology for his remarks. He emphasized that his words were never meant to cause harm or discrimination. ## Van der Vaart issues apology for offensive remarks In a statement, Van der Vaart said, 'It was never my intention to offend, hurt, or discriminate against anyone. I oppose racism in all its forms and have respect for people of every background, ethnicity, and culture.' He acknowledged that some may have found his words hurtful and expressed sincere regret. 'If my comment has caused pain or upset, I would like to offer my heartfelt apologies. That was never my intention.' he added. ## Anti-discrimination groups demand accountability Kick It Out, an anti-discrimination charity, criticized Van der Vaart and urged broadcasters to exercise greater care. A joint statement from Kick It Out and the Frank Soo Foundation stated, 'It's hugely disappointing to hear former players peddling racist slurs about Japan's team and then double down by trying to defend the comments as a joke.' The groups highlighted that even unintended remarks can negatively impact players and communities. They also stressed the importance of responsible language given the World Cup's massive global audience. ## Call for stricter broadcaster guidelines The joint statement emphasized the responsibility of broadcasters to ensure guests use appropriate language. It suggested measures like additional education or training for pundits. The organizations pointed out that past incidents involving players have had lasting effects on communities. They called for proactive steps to prevent similar occurrences in future broadcasts.