Netherlands

Nigel de Jong has been left out of the Holland squad as punishment for not showing contrition for the challenge that left Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa with a double break to his leg. De Jong's refusal to accept he was to blame for Ben Arfa's injury, or that he needs to alter his style, has led to Bert van Marwijk, the Holland manager, announcing that the midfielder will play no part in their game against Turkey on 17 November.

Van Marwijk dropped De Jong from the European Championship qualifiers against Sweden and Moldova last month because he felt the Manchester City player had committed a "wild and unnecessary offence" during the 2-1 defeat of Newcastle United. He spoke at the time of De Jong playing with a combative style where he "needlessly looks to push the limit" and he had hoped that the player would express regret when they next talked and, specifically, agree that he needs to curb his combative instincts.

Instead De Jong told Van Marwijk during a meeting in Manchester yesterday that he feels he has been unfairly treated and has considered whether he could play for the team again under the current management. His belief is that Van Marwijk has used him to help deflect the criticism that was directed at the Dutch management for the team's abrasive style of play in the World Cup.

Newcastle registered an official complaint with the Football Association over De Jong's challenge on Ben Arfa, but the midfielder believes it was wrong for the Dutch to take action against something that happened while he was playing for his club in England.

His club have vigorously supported him in the face of vehement criticism, which the City manager, Roberto Mancini, believes has affected the player's form. De Jong's critics have cited the fact he broke the leg of the Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden during a friendly international this year against the USA and was culpable of the now-infamous challenge in the World Cup final that saw him plant his studs into the chest of the Spanish player Xabi Alonso.