Newcastle United request De Jong punishment

Newcastle have called on the Football Association to take action against Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong over the tackle which left Hatem Ben Arfa with a double leg fracture.

The Magpies have written to the FA to ask them to look into the incident, which went unpunished by match referee Martin Atkinson.

"Newcastle United have written a strongly worded letter to the Football Association in relation to the tackle by Manchester City's Nigel de Jong on Hatem Ben Arfa in Sunday's Premier League fixture, which resulted in Ben Arfa sustaining a broken tibia and fibula of his left leg," said a club statement.

"The club has asked the FA for the appropriate action to be taken against De Jong for the tackle which, in the club's, opinion was unnecessary and used excessive force."