Rafael van der Vaart apologizes for offensive comment about Japanese players
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 6:13 PM
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
Rafael van der Vaart issued an apology for a remark made during a broadcast analyzing the Netherlands' 2-2 draw with Japan on June 16. The former player commented that all Japanese players 'look alike,' which prompted backlash. Van der Vaart clarified he did not intend to offend, stating his words were not meant to be racist or discriminatory. He expressed regret for any hurt caused and emphasized the importance of understanding the intent behind his remarks.
- •Van der Vaart was analyzing the Netherlands vs. Japan match.
- •His comment led to a moment of silence in the studio.
- •He stated there was no racist intent behind his comment.
- •Van der Vaart has a lengthy career in professional soccer.
- •The apology was issued on June 17, 2026.
- 3:23 AMYahoo Sports — World Cup finalist Rafael Van der Vaart apologises for racial slur during TV coverage
- 5:00 PMYahoo Sports — World Cup Broadcaster Apologizes After Coming Under Fire for Offensive Comment About Japan's Players
- 4:28 PMYahoo Sports — Van der Vaart criticised for 'racist slurs' against Japan
- 4:28 PMBBC Sport — Van der Vaart criticised for 'racist slurs' against Japan
- 10:30 PMYahoo Sports — Rafael van der Vaart apologizes for ‘they do all look alike’ remark about Japan
- 10:11 PMYahoo Sports — Van der Vaart apologises for remark that Japan players 'look alike'
- 6:13 PMYahoo Sports — World Cup 2026: Netherlands broadcaster Rafael van der Vaart apologizes after saying all Japanese players 'look alike'
"Former Netherlands player Rafael van der Vaart has apologised for a discriminatory remark he made after the team's 2-2 draw against Japan at the World Cup. The Athletic reported on Wednesday that van der Vaart said there was no racist or discriminatory intent” behind his remark on a post-game analysis in which he said that Japan’s players “all look alike” while explaining a defensive mistake in Japan's late equalizer.
"Rafael van der Vaart was midway through a tidy breakdown of a blown defensive assignment when he decided to editorialize on the ethnicity of the players involved. The former Tottenham and Real Madrid midfielder — now a pundit for Dutch broadcaster NOS — was dissecting the Netherlands’ stoppage-time collapse against Japan, a match that ended…
"Rafael van der Vaart has apologized after saying Japan players “all look alike” during Dutch TV coverage of their 2-2 World Cup draw with the Netherlands. The former Tottenham midfielder was working for NOS TV when the comment was made during analysis of Japan’s late equalizer.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 20, 2026, 3:23 AMWorld Cup finalist Rafael Van der Vaart apologises for racial slur during TV coverage
Rafael van der Vaart has apologized after saying Japan players “all look alike” during Dutch TV coverage of their 2-2 World Cup draw with the Netherlands. The former Tottenham midfielder was working for NOS TV when the comment was made during analysis of Japan’s late equalizer.
- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 5:00 PMWorld Cup Broadcaster Apologizes After Coming Under Fire for Offensive Comment About Japan's Players
Rafael van der Vaart, a Dutch former soccer player, later said in a statement that his intention was never to "offend, hurt or discriminate against anyone"
- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 4:28 PMVan der Vaart criticised for 'racist slurs' against Japan
Former Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart apologises after saying that Japan players "all look alike" during their 2-2 draw with the Netherlands.
- BBC SportJun 18, 2026, 4:28 PMVan der Vaart criticised for 'racist slurs' against Japan
Former Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart apologises after saying that Japan players "all look alike" during their 2-2 draw with the Netherlands.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 10:30 PMRafael van der Vaart apologizes for ‘they do all look alike’ remark about Japan
Rafael van der Vaart was midway through a tidy breakdown of a blown defensive assignment when he decided to editorialize on the ethnicity of the players involved. The former Tottenham and Real Madrid midfielder — now a pundit for Dutch broadcaster NOS — was dissecting the Netherlands’ stoppage-time collapse against Japan, a match that ended…
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 10:11 PMVan der Vaart apologises for remark that Japan players 'look alike'
Former Netherlands player Rafael van der Vaart has apologised for a discriminatory remark he made after the team's 2-2 draw against Japan at the World Cup. The Athletic reported on Wednesday that van der Vaart said there was no racist or discriminatory intent” behind his remark on a post-game analysis in which he said that Japan’s players “all look alike” while explaining a defensive mistake in Japan's late equalizer.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 6:13 PMWorld Cup 2026: Netherlands broadcaster Rafael van der Vaart apologizes after saying all Japanese players 'look alike'
Rafael van der Vaart said he never meant to "hurt or discriminate against anyone" with his comment.
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