Netherland legend Johan Cruyff says midfielder Nigel de Jong needs to clean up his game after a leg-breaking tackle so severe that he was omitted from the national squad.

The former Netherlands great endorsed coach Bert van Marwijk's decision to drop De Jong after his fierce challenge on Hatem Ben Arfa broke the forward's leg during an English Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle.

Cruyff says De Jong has ''crossed the line two or three times now.''

De Jong also injured United States midfielder Stuart Holden this year and referee Howard Webb has said he would have sent off De Jong in the World Cup final had he seen his chest-high foul on Spain's Xabi Alonso.

But despite tightening of the rules, serious fouls remain widespread.