UEFA Euro 2012 Poland & Ukraine
Group E - Qualifications
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"This case only has losers"
7 October 2010
Right after Bert van Marwijk saw
Nigel de Jong's tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa on television
he knew he would drop the midfielder for the Euro 2012
qualification games against Moldavia and Sweden. "My
first reaction was that with this tackle he crossed
a line," van Marwijk said on Wednesday. "But
this needn't be the end of his international carreer.
I shall sit down and talk with him in the very near
future."
Yesterday's press conference was
much anticipated after the Dutch manager had only issued
a press statement on Monday in which he declared De
Jong had been dropped. After that there had been silence.
But yesterday Van Marwijk explained.
"On Sunday afternoon a friend
sent me a text message about De Jong's hard tackle.
Right after I saw the footage I thought that this was
too much, also given earlier incidents. My decision
to drop him was made right after I had seen the footage.
I have called my assistants Frank de Boer and Phillip
Cocu and after that I tried to get in touch with Nigel.
I only managed to do so on Monday morning," Van
Marwijk said.
The manager said De Jong was disappointed
about the decision. "I told him he doesn't need
such fouls. It's bothering him a great deal, I am certain.
I shall sit down and talk with him in the very near
future. This needn't be the end of his international
carreer."
The manager emphasized that he
is upset with the situation. "This case only has
losers. In the first place that lad Ben Arfa. I truly
hope he will back on the pitch real soon. The second
loser is Nigel and the third are we, as we will be a
missing a very good player in two most important games.
And I am not really proud of my decision to drop him,
but given the circumstances I had no other option."
"I hope we can drop the issue
now and focus on the upcoming qualification games,"
van Marwijk added. "How did the squad react? Well,
like I expected them to react. Of course they stand
up for their team mate. But I feel they understand my
decision. It's Moldavia next. That will be difficult,
but we must win that game."
Euro
2012 campaign - Results, schedule, standings
Head-to-head: Sweden
Holland
at European Championships
All
time European Championships ranking
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