FOOTBALL : Holland striker Dirk Kuyt has accused Italy of a lack of respect as the row of Robin van Persie’s ankle injury continues to rage.
Holland striker Dirk Kuyt has accused Italy of a lack of respect as the row of Robin van Persie’s ankle injury continues to rage.
The Arsenal forward, who has been on fine form this season with eight goals in all competitions for the Gunners, has been ruled out for around six weeks after a robust challenge from Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the teams’ friendly meeting on Saturday.
“I was very disappointed (by Italy),” Kuyt told Sky Sports News.
“We played a friendly against a big country and if you see the way they kicked us it’s very sad, very sad for the Dutch team and also very sad for Robin because he was in great form.
“I think it was a bad tackle. Sometimes you think about this when you play a friendly for your country there should be more respect for each other and hopefully it won’t happen in the future.”
Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga, who joined Kuyt and Van Persie in the Premier League when joining Everton earlier this year, also expressed sympathy for his stricken international team-mate.
“It’s hard for a team, but harder for himself as he has been playing well for the last couple of months and he was one of the best players in the Premier League,” said Heitinga.
“I hope for him he recovers soon.”
