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Nigel de Jong has been dropped from the Netherlands squad for two upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers, with Oranje boss Bert van Marwijk claiming he had "no option" after the Manchester City midfielder's "wild and unnecessary" leg-breaking challenge on Hatem Ben Arfa.
De Jong has been roundly criticised for the tackle, during his side's 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday, which has left Frenchman Ben Arfa with a broken tibia and fibula, and he has developed a reputation for his uncompromising approach to marshalling the midfield.
Last season, he risked ending the World Cup hopes of Bolton's USA midfielder Stuart Holden after breaking his leg, while he launched into a chest-high challenge on Xabi Alonso during the World Cup final.
Van Marwijk himself appeared unimpressed with the clash with Ben Arfa, telling Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad: "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. The funny thing is that the referee did not even show a yellow card for it. Apparently, there are other standards. But I have a problem with the way Nigel needlessly looks to push the limit. I am going to speak to him.''
Van Marwijk revealed on Monday that he had left De Jong out of the Netherlands squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Moldova and Sweden.
"I just told the players," Van Marwijk said. "I told them that I saw no other option. In the future I will agree with Nigel to talk. Now I want the staff and the players to concentrate on the next two important qualifiers."
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ro2012&cc=5901
De Jong has been roundly criticised for the tackle, during his side's 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday, which has left Frenchman Ben Arfa with a broken tibia and fibula, and he has developed a reputation for his uncompromising approach to marshalling the midfield.
Last season, he risked ending the World Cup hopes of Bolton's USA midfielder Stuart Holden after breaking his leg, while he launched into a chest-high challenge on Xabi Alonso during the World Cup final.
Van Marwijk himself appeared unimpressed with the clash with Ben Arfa, telling Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad: "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. The funny thing is that the referee did not even show a yellow card for it. Apparently, there are other standards. But I have a problem with the way Nigel needlessly looks to push the limit. I am going to speak to him.''
Van Marwijk revealed on Monday that he had left De Jong out of the Netherlands squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Moldova and Sweden.
"I just told the players," Van Marwijk said. "I told them that I saw no other option. In the future I will agree with Nigel to talk. Now I want the staff and the players to concentrate on the next two important qualifiers."
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ro2012&cc=5901
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