FOOTBALL : Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has criticised the Dutch federation for their “disrespectful” treatment of his club regarding injured striker Robin van Persie.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has criticised the Dutch federation for their “disrespectful” treatment of his club regarding injured striker Robin van Persie.
The club announced that the ankle ligament injury suffered by Van Persie during an international friendly against Italy earlier this month was much worse than first thought and would require surgery and that the player could now be out for up to five months.
Wenger attacked the Dutch federation (KNVB), claiming they downplayed the extent of the injury and kept the Gunners in the dark and, quoted in several national newspapers, said: “I think the Dutch FA minimised the injury. We have just found out that it is much worse than what they told us.”
He added: “If a player gets injured with his country he should be sent back to his club straight away to be checked out by their doctors, not by those of the national team.
“Countries just take your player away for a friendly and then give him back and say: ‘There you go’. It doesn’t happen in any other sport. It’s a joke and is so disrespectful.”
