Rafael van der Vaart slams former Man Utd star for leaving him 'sick to the stomach'
Rafael van der Vaart has criticised Wout Weghorst for his celebration after scoring in the Netherlands' 4-0 win over Hungary, with the former Tottenham star saying it left him "sick to the stomach"
by Matthew Cooper · The MirrorRafael van der Vaart slammed Wout Weghorst for celebrating a goal shortly after Hungary coach Adam Szalai was hospitalised during a Nations League match.
The Netherlands beat Hungary 4-0 in Amsterdam and former Manchester United striker Weghorst celebrated with a flamboyant knee slide after scoring his side's first goal from the penalty spot. The penalty was taken shortly after the game controversially restarted following Szalai's medical emergency.
The 36-year-old had collapsed on the touchline and a medical tent was erected around him while he received treatment. Szalai was subsequently taken to Amsterdam University Hospital and the Hungarian Football Federation have since said he is both stable and conscious.
However, Weghorst's celebration has since been much criticised, with Van der Vaart saying: "Watching Weghorst celebrate made me sick to the stomach. He should have realised that Hungary's players were actually entitled to abandon the match and go to the dressing room.
"Instead they had a meeting on the pitch and decided to resume playing. That deserves massive respect because none of those players knew what the situation was at that moment.
"They decided to carry on, Netherlands got a penalty - and then Weghorst started celebrating as if he had scored the winner in the World Cup final. He should have cut that out."
However, Weghorst defended his actions when asked if he had considered celebrating differently due to the circumstances. "I didn't think about it for a second. The game went on, I saw thumbs going up regarding his state, and so I went back in my focus," he replied.
"During half-time I asked about his health, I just asked it again in their dressing room. I understand it. But I was very focused, I scored a goal and I celebrated. But I understand their point. It happened...
"I don't need to explain to you that me scoring a goal is less important than the life of a person, I'm sure everyone understands that. But at that moment I had to be there, I had to score, so yeah... what else can I say?"
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