De Jong tackle.

[Kladze]

De Jong is a defensive midfield player. His job is to protect the back four. In the early stages of the game Newcastle's playmaker (and most dangerous player) has a clean run at that back four unless De Jong does his job. De Jong makes a perfectly timed challenge and wins the ball but, on a very greasy surface (it had been raining very heavily for seven hours prior to kick off), his momentum carries his other leg through and he effectively traps Ben Arfa's standing leg. Nobody on this planet can make a hard challenge like that on a surface like that and hope to be able to control his trailing leg.

Everyone at the stadium must have heard the crack of bones breaking, yet not one single Newcastle player had a go at De Jong. Newcastle fans didn't make an issue of it. The referee, who was about three yards away, didn't give a free kick nor did he even speak to De Jong.

Live on ESPN none of the commentators and pundits thought it was anything more than unfortunate. Same, amazingly, on Match of the Day.

Newcastle's assistant manager described it as "unfortunate that Ben Arfa had his studs planted" at the moment of impact.

Newcastle's manager Chris Hughton was the only one who made even the slightest issue of it saying "It was an unnecessary challenge" - he was far more concerned about the two penalty incidents in the game.

And even the word "unnecessary" is open to debate isn't it? De Jong's 'job' is to screen the defence ........ so he screened the defence.

The only people who have taken issue with the challenge are TalkSport radio and a couple of tabloids owned by the same company as TalkSport. They are systematically crucifying a player who must attempt more tackles in a season than the vast majority - if not all - of premier league players and yet has not received a red card in his two full seasons at City ...... he actually receives comparatively few yellow cards.

The only other person taking umbrage is Van Marwijk who has his own agenda of trying to rebuild his reputation having sent a Dutch team into a world cup final with clear instructions to kick their opponents off the pitch.

And yet he still selects the animal Van Bommell?
Ah now then - Van Bommell is in a relationship with Van Marwijk's daughter, surely that can't be it?

[Beefymcfc]

Here's a turn up for the books. I was listening to TalkSport on route to Altcar this morning and of course, they were talking about The Challenge. Anyway, both the commentators and the expert phone-ins were really giving to Nige and basically stating how reckless and nasty the challenge was. Until, one of the commentators comes back on air and says that he has just seen the challenge from all angles and that he has now changed his mind - It was A fair Tackle! The other commentator then changed his tune and decided to side with him.

So, forgive me if I'm wrong, but doesn't this sound like they don't know what they are talking about, just like what Collymore was spouting againts the BBC? And even worse, TalkSport and the rest of the fuckwits have been sledging Nige off for 2 days now, yet 2 of their main presenters had not actually seen the actual incident!

A severe case of 'The Blind Leading The Blind'.

[bluej]

[david yearsley]

Someone should send that to the FA and the twats in the media - never got NEAR the ball and scissored him - what does that make Coloccini then - a serial killer?

[Goaters 103]

Basically, de Jong's not English and he plays for probably the most hated football club in the country at the moment- he's a perfect scapegoat. When Ryan Shawcross breaks some kid's leg, he's "an honest young lad with a lovely family", Lee Cattermole who has 6 red cards in his career and is only 22, is "a great young prospect with passion for the game who just needs to curb his temper a bit", any of Paul Scholes' back catalogue of horrible tackles are laughed off as "typical Scholsey, he never was the best tackler". Even Roy Keane is lauded as one of the best midfielders of his generation and the fact that he deliberately ruined someone's life is hardly ever brought up in the media.

But when Nigel makes a tackle, that in the eyes of the referee, anyone who was at Eastlands, the TV commentators and even Newcastle's assistant manager, is perfectly legal, just unfortunate- he's vilified and treated like a criminal in the press. It's no coincidence that he happens to play for City. We're 2nd in the table, we're continuing to upset the status quo, therefore those who need to preserve it are doing their level best to either divide us internally, or put us in the worst possible light to the rest of the world- whether it's going overboard with this tackle, or making a mountain out of a molehill about Tevez's relationship with Mancini (again). If we're losing, they told us it wouldn't work, if we're winning, all isn't quite as it seems.

I feel really sorry for Ben Arfa and was excited about seeing him this season, but as unfortunate as it is, de Jong doesn't deserve to be treated the way he has been in the aftermath of the tackle. If he was as reckless and stupid as some are making out, why has he never been sent off in almost two years at City?

This

[CityFanFromRome]

Someone should send that to the FA and the twats in the media - never got NEAR the ball and scissored him - what does that make Coloccini then - a serial killer?

lol, that cracked me up ;)

[Sister of fu]

The Toon have wrote to the FA about it now and want De Jong dealt with.

[bluej]

Absolute fucking joke, I hope the FA tell them to get fucked.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 063879.stm

Newcastle have written to the Football Association asking for "the appropriate action" to be taken against Nigel de Jong for breaking Hatem Ben Arfa's leg.

The Magpies winger had to undergo surgery on a broken tibia and fibula after being caught by De Jong in Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Manchester City.

And Newcastle have asked the FA to look into the tackle, which went unpunished by match referee Martin Atkinson.

"It was unnecessary and used excessive force," read a club statement.

It added: "Newcastle United have written a strongly worded letter to the FA 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.

"The club has asked the FA for the appropriate action to be taken against De Jong."

De Jong has already been dropped from the Netherlands squad for the forthcoming internationals against Moldova and Sweden, with national coach Bert van Marwijk saying he would speak to the midfielder about some of his challenges.

And Dutch legend Johan Cruyff urged the midfielder to clean up his game, saying: "He's crossed the line two or three times now.

"He needs to understand he is an example to all the young players and I think it [dropping him from the national squad] is a very good decision."

De Jong has also injured American midfielder Stuart Holden this year, while referee Howard Webb has said he would have sent off De Jong in the World Cup final had he seen his chest-high foul on Spain's Xabi Alonso.

However, De Jong's international team-mate Mark van Bommel has spoken out in defence of the midfielder, saying: "It's very unfortunate that he has broken the leg of an opponent twice in six months.

"Thanks to Nigel we reached the final of the World Cup. And now I hear people calling him a criminal. What a nonsense.

"Nigel should not change his game, we need him as he is. But maybe he should occasionally go into a tackle slightly differently."

[The Man In Blue]

Someone should send that to the FA and the twats in the media - never got NEAR the ball and scissored him - what does that make Coloccini then - a serial killer?

lol, that cracked me up ;)

just emailed that pic to talkshite. not that they will mention it, but fuck it i needed to do it.

[Beefymcfc]

Well, Bobby's onside anyway.

Roberto Mancini has defended Nigel De Jong after the Dutch FA made the decision to drop the City midfielder from their squad to face Moldova and Sweden this week.

De Jong had already arrived in Holland to join up with his international team-mates, before learning that the Dutch coach, Bert Van Marwijk, had decided to drop him.

In a statement to explain his decision, Van Marwijk cited De Jong’s tackle on Newcastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa as the reason for the omission.

Sadly, Ben Arfa broke his leg in the challenge, but referee Martin Atkinson, close to the incident at the time, deemed the challenge fair and not worthy of punishment and after the game in an interview with a national radio station, Newcastle boss Chris Hughton admitted he felt there was no malice in De Jong’s actions.

Despite calling De Jong up for the double header, the Dutch FA made the unprecedented action of dropping a player for an incident which occurred for his club side.

Following De Jong’s return to England to resume training with his club, City boss Mancini said: “I don't want to comment about Nigel not being called up by his National Team as it is a matter for the Dutch Federation.

"However, as his Club Manager I wish to say that whilst he is naturally competitive, Nigel is first and foremost a great player as well as being honest and loyal and I support him wholeheartedly.


I also want to take this opportunity to wish Ben Arfa, who I rate very highly, a speedy recovery and I hope to see him back in action soon'.

De Jong, who has never been sent off for City, has started the season in superb form, recently claiming the man of the match award for an all action show in the 1-0 win at home to Barclays Premier League side Chelsea.

He will now continue training at Carrington in preparation for next weekend’s trip to Blackpool.

[Blue Blood]

Absolute fucking joke, I hope the FA tell them to get fucked.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 063879.stm

Newcastle have written to the Football Association asking for "the appropriate action" to be taken against Nigel de Jong for breaking Hatem Ben Arfa's leg.

The Magpies winger had to undergo surgery on a broken tibia and fibula after being caught by De Jong in Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Manchester City.

And Newcastle have asked the FA to look into the tackle, which went unpunished by match referee Martin Atkinson.

"It was unnecessary and used excessive force," read a club statement.

It added: "Newcastle United have written a strongly worded letter to the FA 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.

"The club has asked the FA for the appropriate action to be taken against De Jong."

De Jong has already been dropped from the Netherlands squad for the forthcoming internationals against Moldova and Sweden, with national coach Bert van Marwijk saying he would speak to the midfielder about some of his challenges.

And Dutch legend Johan Cruyff urged the midfielder to clean up his game, saying: "He's crossed the line two or three times now.

"He needs to understand he is an example to all the young players and I think it [dropping him from the national squad] is a very good decision."

De Jong has also injured American midfielder Stuart Holden this year, while referee Howard Webb has said he would have sent off De Jong in the World Cup final had he seen his chest-high foul on Spain's Xabi Alonso.

However, De Jong's international team-mate Mark van Bommel has spoken out in defence of the midfielder, saying: "It's very unfortunate that he has broken the leg of an opponent twice in six months.

"Thanks to Nigel we reached the final of the World Cup. And now I hear people calling him a criminal. What a nonsense.

"Nigel should not change his game, we need him as he is. But maybe he should occasionally go into a tackle slightly differently."

If the F.A take action against De Jong then football is dead as they are effectively punishing a player for legitimately tackling someone, yes it was unfortunate that Ben Arfa got hurt but it was a completely legal tackle! You ban De Jong for this and it will lead to every hard but fair tackle across the league in the future being subject to a complaint and a ban, thus leading to football becoming 11 blokes dancing about on the pitch and passing it about until one guy scores, you'd end up with 15-15 draws.

If the F.A has any sense they'll leave this one alone.

[carl_feedthegoat]

Absolute fucking joke, I hope the FA tell them to get fucked.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 063879.stm

Newcastle have written to the Football Association asking for "the appropriate action" to be taken against Nigel de Jong for breaking Hatem Ben Arfa's leg.

The Magpies winger had to undergo surgery on a broken tibia and fibula after being caught by De Jong in Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Manchester City.

And Newcastle have asked the FA to look into the tackle, which went unpunished by match referee Martin Atkinson.

"It was unnecessary and used excessive force," read a club statement.

It added: "Newcastle United have written a strongly worded letter to the FA 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.

"The club has asked the FA for the appropriate action to be taken against De Jong."

De Jong has already been dropped from the Netherlands squad for the forthcoming internationals against Moldova and Sweden, with national coach Bert van Marwijk saying he would speak to the midfielder about some of his challenges.

And Dutch legend Johan Cruyff urged the midfielder to clean up his game, saying: "He's crossed the line two or three times now.

"He needs to understand he is an example to all the young players and I think it [dropping him from the national squad] is a very good decision."

De Jong has also injured American midfielder Stuart Holden this year, while referee Howard Webb has said he would have sent off De Jong in the World Cup final had he seen his chest-high foul on Spain's Xabi Alonso.

However, De Jong's international team-mate Mark van Bommel has spoken out in defence of the midfielder, saying: "It's very unfortunate that he has broken the leg of an opponent twice in six months.

"Thanks to Nigel we reached the final of the World Cup. And now I hear people calling him a criminal. What a nonsense.

"Nigel should not change his game, we need him as he is. But maybe he should occasionally go into a tackle slightly differently."

I think Ill send a letter to fat fighters and ask them to do an aggressive marketing campaign in Newcastle.

[Tokyo Blue]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9063104.stm

[border]The irony, however, is that De Jong's tackle on Ben Arfa was not an "offence" - referee Martin Atkinson saw the incident but deemed it to be legal.

Under current Football Association (FA) rules, this means there is no prospect of De Jong being punished in England retrospectively.[/border]

End of story.

[paddyblue]

Someone should send that to the FA and the twats in the media - never got NEAR the ball and scissored him - what does that make Coloccini then - a serial killer?

lol, that cracked me up ;)

just emailed that pic to talkshite. not that they will mention it, but fuck it i needed to do it.

think all the pundits should be bombarded with that picture

[Ted Hughes]

I can't believe the Barcodes have done this. What a bunch of utter cunts. The slimey arsed bastards trying to use the media witch hunt to get a player banned. This, after their own assistant manager admitted the day after that 'WE' had a look at all the angles & they 'wouldn't like to see challenges like that taken out of the game'. So they want to ban our fucking player for a challenge that their own people think shouldn't be banned? CUNTS. Not only that but they want to report the ref because he didn't give them a pen!! WANKERS.

The Tevez pen incident; bloke had both feet off the ground at the point of contact, went through Tevez from behind, getting Tevez 1st & the ball second. No fucking less likely to break a leg than DeJong's challenge if Tevez had been as unlucky as Ben Arfa. If it wasn't a pen it was a red card for preventing a possible goal as it was a certain foul.

Hope the whinging bastards go down now.

[Slim]

The Football Association have revealed no formal action will be taken against Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton for his controversial challenge on Dickson Etuhu.

Referee Martin Atkinson did not punish Barton's studs-high tackle on the Sunderland player in Saturday's 1-1 draw but did see the incident so the midfielder will not be disciplined.

An FA spokesman said: "The Football Association can only take action in the case of incidents that are not seen by officials.

"Whilst it is clear that the officials did not see the full extent of the incident, they did see players coming together and to take any further action would be tantamount to re-refereeing the game and this would be contrary to the laws of the game."

[Socrates]

By the laws of the game they shouldn't be able to take action against De Jong but then by the laws of the game they shouldn't have been able to take action against Ben Thatcher when he killed Pedro Mendes. Somehow they seem to be able to make an exception when it is City involved. The fact it wasn't actually a foul is unlikely to stop them if they decided to do it! Let's hope common sense continues to prevail above the hysterical witchhunt?

[saulman]

The Football Association have revealed no formal action will be taken against Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton for his controversial challenge on Dickson Etuhu.

Referee Martin Atkinson did not punish Barton's studs-high tackle on the Sunderland player in Saturday's 1-1 draw but did see the incident so the midfielder will not be disciplined.

An FA spokesman said: "The Football Association can only take action in the case of incidents that are not seen by officials.

"Whilst it is clear that the officials did not see the full extent of the incident, they did see players coming together and to take any further action would be tantamount to re-refereeing the game and this would be contrary to the laws of the game."

Now that's irony.

[Kladze]

Well if the FA take any retrospective action on this they will kill football as we know it totally. It's already a distant cousin to the game I grew up playing and watching.

[Ted Hughes]

By the laws of the game they shouldn't be able to take action against De Jong but then by the laws of the game they shouldn't have been able to take action against Ben Thatcher when he killed Pedro Mendes. Somehow they seem to be able to make an exception when it is City involved. The fact it wasn't actually a foul is unlikely to stop them if they decided to do it! Let's hope common sense continues to prevail above the hysterical witchhunt?

I think they only started banning players after the event in order to 'do' us in the 1st place so it's hardly surprising when they bend the rules to get us on other occasions.