Rafael van der Vaart apologises for saying Japanese players 'all look alike' on air during World Cup, broadcaster keeps him on

The on-air comment

During a post-match analysis segment for NOS after the Group E opener on Sunday, van der Vaart criticised defender Micky van de Ven for losing his marker at the corner that led to Japan's 89th-minute equaliser. As presenter Sjoerd van Ramshorst and fellow pundits Wim Kieft and Pierre van Hooijdonk looked on, van der Vaart said the Japanese players 'all look alike, of course'. After a silence in the studio he added: 'That is a joke, of course. I am afraid to say anything.'

The apology

Three days later, on Wednesday evening, van der Vaart issued a statement through his management to The Athletic. He said the words had been a 'joke' and insisted there was 'no racist or discriminatory intent' behind them.

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. I understand that some people may have found my words offensive or hurtful. I sincerely regret that.

Reactions from anti-racism groups

British charity Kick It Out and the Frank Soo Foundation, which supports East and South East Asian communities, issued a joint statement describing the remarks as 'racist slurs about Japan's team' and said van der Vaart had 'doubled down by trying to defend the comments as a joke'. They added that the comments could 'have an impact on those involved, and the wider East and South East Asian community'.

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.

Broadcaster's decision

A NOS spokesperson told Dutch news agency ANP that van der Vaart would resume his role on the programme 'NOS WK avond' for the Netherlands' next fixture, against Sweden in Houston on Saturday at 19:00 CEST. The decision means the former 109-cap international and 2010 World Cup finalist faces no professional consequences for the remark.