Nasri against referees

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri has called upon referees in English football to offer greater protection to players in the wake of Hatem Ben Arfa's injury

Newcastle winger Ben Arfa was taken off on a stretcher in his side's clash with Manchester City at the weekend after suffering a broken leg as a result of Nigel de Jong's challenge.

De Jong was not punished for the tackle by referee Martin Atkinson, and Nasri believes that the Dutchman has a "pedigree" which referees must be aware of, and has urged a clampdown on such challenges.

"What strikes me is the refereeing. The referee saw Hatem exit on a stretcher with an oxygen mask yet he didn't punish De Jong. It's that that has to change in England," Nasri said.

"Nigel de Jong has pedigree, a bit like (Mark) van Bommel. Referees should know that these players make foul tackles.

"The tackle wasn't exactly like the one thatEduardo suffered against Birmingham. But it was a hard tackle, from the side."

Nasri says there has only been one challenge on him from an opponent which he believed to be malicious, and hopes that Ben Arfa can fully recover from his injury.

"With the exception of one time, when (Joey) Barton tried to hack me down, players are not 'evil'," Nasri said.

"I'm very disappointed for Hatem, who I really like as a player. I hope he comes through this a more mature player, but it is not certain.

"There are sometimes accidents and there always have been, considering the commitment levels. But are we protected enough in England? I don't think so."