Source: Telegraph
Manchester City's Nigel de Jong faces Marseille action for tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa
Ben Arfa, on loan at Newcastle United from the French club, is expected to be sidelined for at least six months after undergoing surgery last week to repair the broken tibia and fibula sustained in De Jong's challenge during the 2-1 defeat against Manchester City at Eastlands. [LNB]De Jong was dropped from the Holland squad by coach Bert van Marwijk because of the challenge, a decision which infuriated City officials who believed that their player had been singled out unfairly by the Dutch. Newcastle have since taken the unusual step of contacting the Football Association by letter to call for further action to be taken against De Jong, whose challenge was seen but went unpunished by referee Martin Atkinson. [LNB] Related ArticlesFifa chief concerned by 'criminal' tacklesBen Arfa refuses De Jong visitBarclays saviour Sheikh Mansour makes £2.25bn from stakeDe Jong 'crossed a line' with tackleMancini: De Jong uncompromising, not dirtySport on televisionWhile the FA has insisted that retrospective action cannot be taken, De Jong may yet find himself at the centre of renewed scrutiny should Marseille take the matter further. [LNB]Jean-Claude Dassier, the Marseille chairman, said: 'We will file a complaint against De Jong. It's about getting rid of this type of individual from European grounds.'[LNB]De Jong has told colleagues that he is devastated by the injury sustained by Ben Arfa. [LNB]The former Hamburg midfielder, whose challenge resulted in a broken leg for Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden during a match between Holland and USA in March, has spent the last week at City's training ground following his exclusion from the Dutch squad. [LNB]City manager Roberto Mancini has publicly backed De Jong, who is expected to return to action in the Premier League clash with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Sunday. [LNB]
