Dutch drop De Jong after Ben Arfa leg break

Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong has been dropped from the Dutch squad after breaking Hatem Ben Arfa’s leg in a match against Newcastle, Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk announced yesterday.

“I personally informed the player of this decision,” Van ­Marwijk said.

Van Marwijk has criticised De Jong for his aggressive play on a number of occasions, notably after recent friendly matches against Japan and Paraguay.

The defensive midfielder was also widely considered fortunate to have escaped punishment for a chest-high foul on Xabi Alonso during the Netherlands’ 1-0 defeat by Spain in the World Cup final in July.

Ben Arfa was stretchered off following a heavy challenge by De Jong after four minutes of Newcastle’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at City on Sunday. De Jong was not penalised for the challenge.

The Netherlands take on Moldova on October 8 and Sweden on October 12 as part of their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

De Jong’s place in the Dutch squad has been taken by FC Twente’s Wout Brama.