AMSTERDAM - Netherlands defender Gregory van der Wiel says his squad has been banned from using Twitter during the World Cup, a day after a teammate used a Dutch term insulting to Moroccans on a live streaming video.

AMSTERDAM - Netherlands defender Gregory van der Wiel says his squad has been banned from using Twitter during the World Cup, a day after a teammate used a Dutch term insulting to Moroccans on a live streaming video.

Eljero Elia appeared to make the remark on Tuesday in response to a jesting insult made by a Moroccan friend on a chat forum connected with the video.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that Elia apologised and won't be punished after saying he used the term without any racist intent. Van der Wiel wrote on his Twitter page: "We are not allowed to tweet anymore. So I end it now, speak to you after the World Cup, sorry."

The English and Spanish squads are also banned from using Twitter by their coaches. - Sapa-AP