Source: Telegraph
Roberto Mancini claims Nigel de Jong is an uncompromising tackler, not a dirty one
The Newcastle midfielder, who fractured both his tibia and his fibula in De Jong's tackle, will leave Manchester's Royal Infirmary today after surgery on his left leg and faces months on the sidelines. [LNB]Newcastle have written to the Football Association to demand the City midfielder, who was not even booked for the challenge, faces retrospective punishment. [LNB] Related ArticlesBellamy hits out at ManciniNewcastle want De Jong punishedMancini defends 'great player' De JongT?z and Mancini in furious rowDe Jong in City deal talksHughton: Ben Arfa tackle unnecessaryThough De Jong was dropped by Holland manager Bert van Marwijk as a result of the tackle, he is unlikely to face further disciplinary measures, thanks to Fifa rules dictating that a referee's decision cannot be overturned or superseded by a governing body. [LNB]That is unlikely to stop the groundswell of anger directed towards De Jong, who achieved notoriety for his chest-high challenge on Spain's Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final, and also broke the leg of USA international Stuart Holden's while playing for City against Bolton last season. [LNB]Despite that list of offences, Mancini insists he does not have any problem with De Jong's style. [LNB]"I am extremely sorry for Ben Arfa, who is an extraordinary player," he said. "I sincerely hope he recovers speedily. De Jong plays with grit, but he is not dirty. He tackles hard, but never intending to hurt. [LNB]"Last Sunday it was a playing accident. The referee saw it all, and did not even award a free kick against him. As to the Dutch coach, I am not going to interfere with his decisions. [The tackle on Alonso] was out of order, and it was uncoordinated in the extreme. But I hope that referees continue to evaluate him with fairness." [LNB]Mancini also moved to dispel any lingering suggestions of discontent in the City dressing room after a reported row with captain Carlos Tevez at half-time in the 2-1 win over Chris Hughton's side. [LNB]The pair are believed to have clashed in the Eastlands dressing room, but the Italian has made it clear the incident was quickly put to rest and even believes it may provide his side, currently second in the Premier League table, with fresh impetus as they bid to reel in Chelsea and remain ahead of Manchester United and Arsenal. [LNB]"What happened happens in our dressing room as well as in others, and when it matters it is good that it happens," said the City manager. "Against Newcastle, we slept in the first half, and the confrontation with Tevez was the alarm call everyone needed. [LNB]"It was an upfront confrontation, and in the second half, we deservedly won the game. We sorted everything between us before the restart and when I took him off at the end, we shook hands. There is a different mentality in dressing rooms here. Now and then a good shake-up is healthy." [LNB]
