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Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart has apologized after facing criticism over comments he made about Japan's players during a 2026 FIFA World Cup broadcast.
The 43-year-old, who was working as a television analyst for Dutch broadcaster NOS TV, made the remarks while covering the Group F match between the Netherlands and Japan on Sunday, June 14. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
According to The Athletic, van der Vaart suggested that Japan's players "look alike" while discussing a defensive sequence involving the Dutch team. He implied that the similarity in the players' appearances may have contributed to confusion on the field before acknowledging that his remark was intended as a joke.
"They do look alike, of course, maybe he thought that. That's a joke, of course. I'm almost afraid to say anything," he said during the broadcast.
Following the backlash, van der Vaart issued a public apology. In a statement obtained by PEOPLE on Thursday, June 18, he emphasized that he never intended to offend or discriminate against anyone.
"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 said.
The former midfielder acknowledged that some viewers found his words hurtful and expressed regret over the impact of his comments.
"I understand that some people may have found my words offensive or hurtful. I sincerely regret that. If my comment has caused pain or upset, I would like to offer my heartfelt apologies. That was never my intention."
Van der Vaart added that he took the public reaction seriously and wanted to clarify that there was no racist or discriminatory intent behind his statement.
"I take the reactions that have followed seriously and understand that words can be interpreted in different ways. That is why I feel it is important to make clear that there was absolutely no racist or discriminatory intent behind my remark," he said, adding that he hoped the statement would provide greater context for his comments.
During the same broadcast, van der Vaart also criticized Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk's performance. He compared the defender's turning ability to that of a Boeing 747, saying he hoped Van Dijk would improve as the tournament progressed.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup began on June 11 and is being held across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The tournament will conclude with the final on July 19.
