The referee gives a yellow card to Den Bosch player Wang Bohao during the match against Willem II on March 8, 2026 in Tilburg, the Netherlands. AThe racist incident happened after Wang received the yellow card. Photo: VCG

Dutch second-division club Willem II has issued an apology to FC Den Bosch’s Chinese player Wang Bohao following a racist gesture directed at Wang during their match on Sunday.

The incident occurred in the 84th minute of the Eerste Divisie Round 30 clash, which ended in a 1-1 draw at Willem II's home stadium. 

Shortly after Wang received a yellow card from the referee, a spectator in the stands was captured on video making a "pulling eye corners" gesture, a move widely recognized as a racially offensive act targeting individuals of Asian descent.

In an official statement released late on Monday, Willem II acknowledged the event through match footage and emphasized their commitment to addressing it. 

"Willem II Football Club has become aware, through match images, of a racist incident in the stands during Sunday's match against a player from FC Den Bosch," the club said in a statement. "The club takes this incident very seriously."

The statement also noted that the club has contacted FC Den Bosch and apologized to the club and player Wang, saying “racism and discrimination have no place anywhere, not in football, not in the stadium, and not in society.” 

The club noted that footage of the involved individual has been recorded, and they are conducting a careful investigation based on the images and related statements, with appropriate measures to follow. 

"Willem II Football Club explicitly opposes all forms of racism and discrimination," the statement added. "In the future, we will continue to work with fans, partners, and all stakeholders to create a safe and respectful environment for everyone."

FC Den Bosch, Wang's club, also responded with a statement supporting their player and condemning the act. 

"What happened to our player Wang on Sunday, we find very unpleasant. This is painful,” the club said in a statement. “For him, and for everyone who just wants to play football or watch football. Wang is not alone in this. "
The Den Bosch statement further addressed the nature of the gesture. 

"We also support all players who experience this. Making a pulling eye corners gesture because a player is Asian is not a joke, nor is it competitive rivalry. This is simply racism," the statement reads. 

Wang, a Chinese under-23 national team player who is among the finalists at the U23 Asian Cup earlier this year, joined Den Bosch on loan from China League One club Shaanxi Union in August 2025.

Global Times