Newcastle have appealed to the English FA about the tackle that broke Ben Arfa’s leg on Sunday, and they had received no communication at all from the Manchester City club, regarding the incident.
Roberto Mancini – he hopes DeJong not marked man – no chance!
And no apology has been forthcoming from Nigel De Jong, after he broke the Frenchman’s leg in two places. But today manager Roberto Mancini has rightly offered his condolencies to the player.
Mancini told Gazzetta dello Sport:
“I am very saddened for Ben Arfa – he is an extraordinary player.” “I hope he returns to play as soon as possible.” “De Jong is forceful but also loyal.” “He goes hard but not with the intention of hurting anyone.”
“Sunday’s episode was just an incident of the game.”“The referee saw it and he didn’t even call a foul. I don’t wish to enter into the decision made by the Dutch coach. “I hope the referees will continue to evaluate De Jong objectively.”
There’s no doubt that DeJong, much like Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole will be marked men by referees – if only because they keep making these ridiculous, almost suicidal tackles. These supposedly hard men that put their fellow players out of action need to be marked men.
Certainly the tackle may not have been given as a foul, but the Dutch FA didn’t like one little bit what they saw, and dropped the player from the upcoming Dutch squad for the European qualifying games.
Whether Roberto likes it or not, DeJong is now a marked man, and so he should be.
From now on, he will hardly be allowed to get away with other similar tackles – especially if he breaks some other player’s leg – which he’s now done twice this year.
If DeJong is not a dangerous player on the football pitch, we have no idea who is.
Comments welcome.
9 comments so far
Ericles
Oct 6, 2010 at 12:25 PM
Comment #1Come off it Mancini. De Jong has made a few of these rash tackles recently – look at his reckless studding in the World Cup. OK, football has its injuries and unfortunate episodes on the pitch. But Mancini – it is a football pitch and not a Roman gladitorial arena! Anyway – why the delay in making a comment? Why should NUFC have to ask for an investigation and internationally respected managers make their views known before you even say a word? Not good enough Mancini. Not sporting Mancini!
Davies
Oct 6, 2010 at 12:26 PM
Comment #2The refs will carrying on doing sweet FA. They’re wrapped in cotton wool and don’t have to give any reason for the decisions they make.
The whole “Respect The Ref” thing is a joke. I was always raised to understand that respect is a two way thing and it has to be earned, not simply handed out because the FA might fine you for pointing out that the ref made a STUPID mistake. De Jong won’t be a marked man by anyone. Well, maybe Karl Henry…
windsrave
Oct 6, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Comment #3please sign this petition !
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/disgracefootball/
Ryan_NUFC88
Oct 6, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Comment #4and what do you think this interview would consist of if barton had broke tevez’ leg?? Grow up mancini, fair enough the premier league is physical coz it’s English football, but no need to go around breaking everyones legs when you get the chance! De Jong should make a public apology and serve a minimum 3-5 match ban for this to teach him a lesson, in that case he is shown as an example for future cases of this happening…
MacToon
Oct 6, 2010 at 12:54 PM
Comment #5What a joke Mancini is, the FA and more importantly the standard of ref’ing. The football on offer may be premier league standard but the officials are far from it.
Corrupt? I wonder. Double standards, obvious!
ende
Oct 6, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Comment #6Did Mancini say this before or after handing De Jong his leg breaker bonus?
Neil Shaw
Oct 6, 2010 at 2:57 PM
Comment #7Ericles: Mancini had to return to Italy within minutes of the final whistle due his father’s ill health. He’s only just returned so that probably explains the delay.
Davis: Carl Henry returns from suspension on October 30th. You might get your wish because Wolves are playing Manchester City.
De Jong has plenty of previous, but he’s not alone. He’s also the best player in the City team at the moment. By all means eliminate thuggery. but football has a funny habit of turning the wheel of fortune. I hope you’re all as outraged the next time a Newcastle player launches into a reckless challenge.
I wish everyone at Newcastle good luck for the rest of the season apart from the clown who put a brick through my windscreen after City’s rather fortuitous League Cup victory at St James’s Park in 1994
cgrizzly87
Oct 6, 2010 at 4:51 PM
Comment #8I’m relishing the reception De Jong the mong will get at St. James’ park after xmas! That is if Mancini dares to play him.
Hope Smithy, Barton, Nolan, Carroll and wor Jose are on the pitch to kick 7 shades of s*** out of him!
(Yes I know we shouldn’t stoop to that level etc etc but would be deserved!)
chuck
Oct 6, 2010 at 6:23 PM
Comment #9Yeah right , he`s really a nice guy (De Jong)
Mancini can say what he likes but most of us saw the karate style WC challenge and are aware that this is the second serious injury he is responsible for this early in the season.
The irony is there was`nt a foul given, never mind a card.
Obviously there`s something amiss, when refs. allow this kind of conduct and it reflects directly onto the FA, who are responsible for the standards of play.
We are all aware of the Cattermoles, and other enforcers at clubs like Wolves, Stoke and even Chelsea who are there to intimidate and hurt the skilled opposition players.
Though all managers deny it, there`s an understanding of the role expected by these enforcers.
And until the FA act and instruct the refs. to curb this aggression, it will continue.
A few red cards is all it would take to focus the minds of managers who silently encourage this kind of behavior and would make for a more entertaining game to watch.
No one wants delays of three to five minutes where some poor unfortunate is stretchered off the pitch.
Soh ! FA it`s up to you !
And as an afterthought, apparently Van Bommel has come out in a verbal defense of De Jong , kind of like Sweeny Todd defending Jack the Ripper.