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  "path": "/2026/06/17/rafael-van-der-vaart-issues-apology-offensive-joke-made-japans-world-cup-stars-28819095/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-17T18:18:32.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
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    "Japan football team",
    "Netherlands football team",
    "Racism",
    "Tottenham Hotspur",
    "World Cup",
    "offensive ‘joke’ he made about Japan’s World Cup team",
    "the Netherlands’ opening group-stage clash with Japan",
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    "likened Virgil van Dijk’s turning power to that of a ‘Boeing 747’",
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  "textContent": "Rafael van der Vaart suggested Japan’s players ‘looked alike’ after their draw with the Netherlands (Picture: NOS)\n\nRafael van der Vaart has issued an apology over an offensive ‘joke’ he made about Japan’s World Cup team, while insisting there was ‘no racist or discriminatory intent’ behind his remarks.\n\nThe 43-year-old was providing punditry for the Netherlands’ opening group-stage clash with Japan when he made headlines for all the wrong reasons with his post-match analysis.\n\nGiving his thoughts just moments after the 2-2 draw on Dutch TV channel NOS, Van der Vaart picked apart where he felt Ronald Koeman’s side impressed and needed to improve.\n\nBut Van der Vaart landed himself in hot water when he ‘jokingly’ cited Japan’s players all ‘looking alike’ as a possible explanation for Micky van de Ven’s mixed performance in Dallas.\n\n##  Don't miss anything from the World Cup\n\nStill got it (Picture: MB Media/Getty Images)\n\n\nA Lionel Messi hattrick. A Kylian Mbappe screamer. Erling Haaland's first World Cup goals. We've got it all in today's World Cup newsletter. Oh, and we're looking ahead to England's crucial opener against Croatia.\n\nSign up here.\n\n‘The perfect corner is really very difficult to defend,’ the former Netherlands, Tottenham and Real Madrid midfielder said while watching back replays of Daichi Kamada’s late equaliser for Japan.\n\n‘This one came with the right speed, just over the five-yard line. With a bit of luck it would have gone in, but the corner was amazing.\n\n‘They [the Japanese players] do look alike, of course, maybe he [Van de Ven] thought that… That’s a joke, of course. I hardly dare say anything.’\n\nJapan twice came from behind to salvage a late draw in Sunday’s entertaining Group F contest (Picture: Getty)\n\nThe Dutch will look to improve on their opening performance when they return against Sweden (Picture: Getty)\n\nVan der Vaart went on to criticise Koeman’s players for sitting back and failing to ‘push harder’ having earlier likened Virgil van Dijk’s turning power to that of a ‘Boeing 747’.\n\n‘I have to be honest: I was quite shocked by Van Dijk,’ Van der Vaart said about the Dutch captain at the half-time break.\n\n‘With him, I thought: that doesn’t look good. Especially while turning.\n\n‘It is proving very difficult. A bit like a Boeing 747 turning. I hope he starts turning a bit faster during the tournament.’\n\nTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo\n\nUp Next\n\nPrevious Page\n\nNext Page\n\nNeedless to say, Van der Vaart’s comments about Japan’s players were met with fierce criticism from fans across the globe, many shocked to discover he would think such remarks were acceptable.\n\nResponding to the backlash, Van der Vaart – according to The Athletic – stressed through his management team that his intention was ‘never to insult, hurt, or discriminate against anyone’.\n\nVan der Vaart also underlined that he had the utmost ‘respect for people of every origin and background’.\n\nVan der Vaart’s Netherlands side finished as runners-up in 2010 (Picture: Getty)\n\nThe ex-Spurs man, who represented the Netherlands at two World Cups, went on: ‘I understand that some people found my words hurtful. I sincerely regret that.\n\n‘If I have upset people because of this, I offer my apologies. That was never my intention.\n\n‘I take the reactions that have arisen seriously and understand that words can be interpreted differently.\n\n‘Therefore, I think it is important to make it clear that there was no racist or discriminatory intent behind my statement.\n\n‘I hope this explanation provides more clarity about my intentions and the context in which the remark was made.’\n\nThe Netherlands, who sit joint-second with Japan in Group F, return to action against Sweden at Houston’s NRG Stadium on Saturday.\n\nJapan, meanwhile, head to Monterrey to lock horns with Tunisia in their next encounter.\n\n**For more stories like this, check our sport page**.\n\n**Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on**Facebook,** Twitter and Instagram**.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Rafael van der Vaart issues apology over offensive ‘joke’ he made about Japan’s World Cup stars"
}