Nigel de Jong dropped by Holland for tackle that broke Hatem Ben Arfa's leg

04 October 2010 11:52
Bert van Marwijk said he had 'no alternative' but to drop Nigel de Jong from the Holland's squad after the Manchester City midfielder was involved in a tackle that left Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa with a broken left leg.[LNB]The manager criticised De Jong for the reckless tackle labelling it 'wild and unnecessary' challenge.[LNB]The Frenchman, on loan at Newcastle from Marseille, suffered the injury after only five minutes at Eastlands and left the field on a stretcher, requiring oxygen to ease his discomfort.[LNB] Leg breaker: Nigel de Jong (right) broke the leg of Hatem Ben Arfa five minutes in Sunday's match with Newcastle[LNB]The Magpies confirmed the injury to be a broken tibia and fibula of Ben Arfa's left leg. [LNB]In his newspaper colimn, Van Marwijk said: 'I've seen the pictures back. It was a wild and unnecessary offence. He went in much too hard. It is unfortunate, especially since he does not need to do it.[LNB]'The funny thing is that the referee did not even show a yellow card for it. Apparently, there are other standards.[LNB]'But I have a problem with the way Nigel needlessly looks to push the limit. I am going to speak to him.'[LNB]He later added in a statement: 'I just informed the squad and told them I saw no other possibility. In the near future I will discuss this matter with Nigel but right now we have to focus on the upcoming two matches.'[LNB] Previous: De Jong was widely criticised for his tackle on Spain's Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final[LNB]It is not the first time the 25-year-old has come under the microscope for his aggressive play, having caused Bolton's United States midfielder Stuart Holden a fractured right fibula on international duty in March and then got away with a chest-high challenge on Spain's Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final.[LNB]De Jong was last week named in Van Marwijk's Oranje squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Moldova and Sweden.[LNB]The World Cup runners-up, who picked up six points from their opening two Group E qualifiers against San Marino and Finland last month, take on Moldova in Chisinau on October 8 and Sweden four days later at the Amsterdam ArenA. [LNB] Graham Poll: No place for Henry and De Jong as broken bones add upBen Arfa suffers broken leg after sickening injury against Man CityMan City 2 Newcastle 1: Johnson stunner piles on misery for MagpiesHe ain't Arfa a bad boy! Can Newcastle new-boy shake off his bad egg tag?MANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail