Source: PA
Taylor urges De Jong to play fair
Nigel de Jong's controversial axing from the Dutch national squad could be a legacy from the World Cup final, according to PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor.
De Jong rather surprisingly avoided any sanction from referee Martin Atkinson for the tackle in which Newcastle striker Hatem Ben Arfa suffered a double leg-break at Manchester City last Sunday.
Yet the Dutch midfielder has still been widely condemned, including back home in Holland, where national team boss Bert van Marwijk took the unusual step of omitting De Jong from his squad to face Moldova and Sweden in two important Euro 2012 qualifiers over the coming days.
Without entirely exonerating De Jong, English players' union chief Taylor does feel Van Marwijk's decision was probably influenced by the huge amount of negative publicity Holland attracted for their combative approach to the World Cup final with Spain. Most observers felt the Dutch completely spoiled the showpiece and led to referee Howard Webb showing 14 yellow cards, plus a red, and later admitting he should have sent De Jong off for a chest-high, studs-first challenge on Xabi Alonso.
"There was a lot of criticism for the way Holland approached the final," said Taylor. "Maybe it was a tactical approach and the only way they could come to terms with a very skilful Spanish side. There is nothing wrong with getting into people's faces, harassing them and intimidating them as long as it is within the rules.
"According to the referee on Sunday, the tackle that caused the broken leg was not a foul. Other people will have other opinions. Nigel is a very committed player. He goes in strongly in a physical contact sport. However, you also have a duty of care to your fellow professionals."
