Ryan Koolwijk and Humberto Tan demand punishments for Guatemalan fans

On a cold Tuesday evening in the sports hall of De Stentor, Go Ahead Eagles striker Richonell Margaret responded to racist taunts from Guatemalan supporters directed at Surinamese players, after which he received a red card for raising his middle finger and was immediately punished by the referee in the second half.

Koolwijk and Tan demand tough measures

Ryan Koolwijk and Humberto Tan believe that strong action must be taken against the fans of Guatemala, who were guilty of racially harassing players from Suriname. A fine is, in their view, not enough, and they emphasize: “We do not accept murder and rape either.”

Koolwijk explains that it is not about a loser, but about the skin colour that is attacked for ninety minutes. “Then the bucket will eventually overflow,” he tells De Stentor. He fully supports Margaret for his reaction.

Humberto Tan, advisor to the KNVB via the Mijnals Committee, is not surprised by the incidents. “Apparently this is still the reaction when one sees black people. Of course you must not and may not accept this,” he says, comparing it to the rejection of murder and rape.

Surinamese officials call for international action

Koolwijk advocates for immediate sanctions, such as an automatic 3‑0 loss or playing without spectators, instead of a retroactive fine. He points out that the structural problem harms their own country.

National team coach Henk Fraser and general director Brian Tevreden of Suriname have already spoken out. Tevreden wrote: “How many more times must our players endure this before CONCACAF and FIFA take action?”

The call from both players and officials underscores the urgency of combating racism in football with concrete regulations, so that victims no longer feel alone.