The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said on Friday it had filed a complaint with the Public Prosecution Service due to racist messages following the country’s withdrawal from the World Cup.
The Dutch team’s defeat against Morocco in a penalty shoot-out on Monday led to a flood of abuse on social media, mainly aimed at black Dutch players.
The KNVB says it will pass the messages on to the Public Prosecution Service for further legal action.
“Unfortunately, it is never possible to be complete and to detect and arrest every racist reaction, but the KNVB wants to send a very clear signal,” the association said in a statement.
“There are boundaries and there are consequences for those who violate those boundaries.”
The three-time finalist lost on penalties to Morocco in the Round of 32 match in the Mexican city of Monterrey on Monday after a 1-1 draw.
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The three players who missed a penalty, Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville, faced “racist and discriminatory” abuse online after the match, the KNVB said.
Prime Minister Rob Jetten told reporters earlier Friday that he expected prosecutors to take legal action to set an example.
What happened after the round of 32 was “obviously completely unacceptable,” Jetten said.
“One minute they are ‘our boys’ and we don’t see their color when they are wearing an orange shirt. Then when someone misses a penalty, vitriol flows from every corner,” the Prime Minister added.
Published on July 3, 2026
