Former Netherlands player Rafael van der Vaart will remain as a World Cup pundit for Dutch television station NOS after apologizing for a remark deemed discriminatory by many viewers.
He said Japan’s players “all look alike” while explaining a Dutch defensive mistake for Japan's late equalizer for 2-2 on Sunday during post-match analysis.
Van der Vaart added into the ensuing silence: “That’s a joke of course. I’m scared to say anything at all.”
But he will again analyse Saturday's World Cup match in Houston between the Netherlands and Sweden, an NOS spokesman was quoted as saying by Dutch news agency ANP on Thursday.
The Athletic sports news portal reported on Wednesday that van der Vaart had said there was no racist intent behind his remark.
The report quoted the former SV Hamburg, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur player as saying his intention was “never to insult, hurt, or discriminate against anyone.
“I understand that some people found my words hurtful. I sincerely regret that. If I have upset people because of this, I offer my apologies. That was never my intention.”
A spokesperson from anti discrimination group Kick It Out had told The Athletic: “It’s hugely disappointing to hear former players peddling racist stereotypes about Japan’s team and then double down by trying to defend the comments as a joke.”
