De Jong unrepentant over World Cup tackle
September 06, 2010 13:37:00 UK
Nigel de Jong says he does not regret his horror challenge on Spain's Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final.
The Manchester City midfielder caught Alonso in the chest with a high tackle in the showpiece game in South Africa, an offence for which referee Howard Webb has since admitted he should have sent him off.
However, De Jong is quoted in the Sunday Mirror as saying: "I don't regret anything. I never intended to hurt him.
"And after such a great World Cup I came back to the dressing room of Manchester City as a different player. Well, that's how it felt.
"I had just played in the final of the World Cup. It gives you a different status.
"The lads at City said they were impressed with the Dutch team's performances out there in South Africa. That was really nice."
De Jong is the subject of one of bet365's special markets. Will Howard Webb have cause to send off the Dutchman the next time they share a pitch?
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