Netherlands eliminated in penalty shootout as Morocco advance to last 16
Ronald Koeman has resigned as the manager of the Netherlands national football team following their exit from the World Cup, an event that was followed by "appalling" racist abuse directed at players who missed penalties.
The Dutch team was eliminated by Morocco in a last-32 penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in Monterrey.
Players Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber, and Crysencio Summerville missed their penalty attempts and subsequently faced discriminatory, racist, and hateful comments on social media, according to the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).
Koeman, aged 63, has stepped down from his second tenure as the national team manager and suggested that he might be ending his managerial career altogether.
He said on Instagram, "Looking back on my career, I feel especially proud. I have worked with clubs and people that shaped me and gave me memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.
We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would write history. That didn't work out. No-one is more disappointed about that than me.
The past years have made me realise again that there are more important things than football. Football has been my life, but health is priceless. When someone you love is fighting a tough battle, your perspective changes."
Koeman's wife, Bartina, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The KNVB stated it will pursue criminal charges against individuals who have abused its players.
"We find this appalling," the FA said.
"Once a report is filed, legal staff assess whether the statement constitutes a punishable offence. This can lead to a formal complaint being lodged with the Public Prosecution Service, which may then initiate a criminal investigation."
Similar incidents occurred when England's Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho were abused after missing penalties in the European Championship final defeat by Italy in 2021.
That abuse resulted in two people being sentenced to prison and another receiving a suspended sentence.
"Football brings together millions of different people, whereas discrimination does the exact opposite. It therefore runs counter to everything football stands for," added the KNVB.
'Koeman unable to convince' - analysis
Koeman's contract was due to expire regardless, but he believes this is an appropriate time to step away. His wife's illness is a significant factor, as he wishes to spend more time with her.
He has had two terms as Netherlands manager. He initially took charge in 2018 and was regarded as a success, introducing players like Frenkie de Jong and securing Nations League victories against teams such as France and Germany.
They qualified for the European Championship, which was postponed, and Koeman then had the opportunity to manage Barcelona.
Upon his return as Netherlands manager, challenges arose from the outset. He struggled to convince critics and fans alike.
Many considered his approach too defensive. In the match against Morocco, he employed a five-defender formation, a strategy not used for a long time, requiring significant adjustment. This was notable as it allowed Morocco to control play.
His second tenure failed to gain momentum. Although the team drew twice with Spain in Nations League matches and showed potential, the overall performance was disappointing as they did not reach previous levels.
Following the game, it became clear Koeman would depart and that the Netherlands would seek a fresh start.
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