Source: PA
De Jong relieved to avoid red card
Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong has admitted he was lucky not to be sent off in Holland's World Cup final defeat against Spain.
Referee Howard Webb has been roundly criticised for not showing De Jong a red card for his woeful chest-high tackle on Xabi Alonso during the first-half of Spain's 1-0 win.
The incident has been viewed as the height of the thuggish tactics that were employed by Holland in a bid to stop their opponents' stylish passing game.
"Yes, I was concerned it might be worse than a yellow," said De Jong. "It looked worse, although to be honest I didn't see the opponent coming in from the side.
"I was really focused on the ball and I caught him on his chest. It was a bit curious but he gave the yellow card so for me it was a little bit of luck."
