When Moroccan fans turned the tables on Van der Vaart

Former Dutch international and analyst Rafael van der Vaart found himself the target of a chanting Moroccan crowd in Mexico after the Netherlands' round‑of‑32 World Cup defeat to Morocco, a match decided on penalties that sent the Atlas Lions into the round of 16 against Canada.

Weeks earlier van der Vaart had warned that Moroccans not good enough for the Dutch side would opt to play for Morocco, saying, “I don’t want to be petty, but all Moroccans who are not good enough for the Netherlands will play for Morocco.” The comment resurfaced as the Dutch team fell short.

After the penalty shoot‑out loss, a video emerged of Moroccan supporters singing van der Vaart’s name inside the stadium. The chant echoed “Van der Vaart, I can’t hear you!” as the crowd celebrated their victory.

van der Vaart later addressed the messages on the World Cup Evening, acknowledging the fans’ jokes and replying, “Yes, yes. Also justified,” before adding, “You have to take your loss sometimes.”

During the broadcast the presenter recalled van der Vaart’s earlier claim that he preferred the Dutch team over Morocco, prompting the analyst to remark, “I still think that, but they haven’t proven it.”

He then winked, saying, “Then I could still have taken part,” and concluded with a laugh, “Then I would have scored the penalty.”

The episode underscores how a former player’s outspoken remarks can be turned into a stadium chant, turning personal criticism into a moment of levity for the victorious Moroccan fans.