Thug Nigel De Jong Cut from Dutch Team After Breaking Opponent's Leg

Filed under: International Soccer, English Premier League, U.S. Men's National Team

Dutch national team coach Bert van Marwijk has seen the light. The man who transformed Clockwork Orange into Coldcock Orange at the World Cup Final apparently has his limits, and midfielder terminator Nigel De Jong exceeded them on Sunday.

Notorious for the reckless tackle that broke U.S. national team midfielder Stuart Holden's leg in March and the kick to Xabi Alonso's chest at Soccer City (right) that would have made Mr. Miyagi blush, De Jong was at it again on Sunday as his Manchester City side hosted Newcastle United in an English Premier League match. And he was at it right from the start.

In just the third minute, De Jong flew into Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa with both feet and broke both the tibia and fibula in the Frenchman's left leg.

As usual, De Jong escaped serious sanction. He was shown only a yellow card after laying waste to both Holden and Alonso. The referee at the final, Englishman Howard Webb, said in August that he regretted allowing De Jong to stay on the field.

 

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