Newcastle United midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa says there should be a clampdown on violent players.
Ben Arfa is still a month away from a return as he recovers from the double broken leg suffered from Nigel de Jong's x-rated tackle at Manchester City in October.
He revealed the Holland international had sent him a text of apology for the challenge, which did not earn De Jong a red card.
Ben Arfa said: "I don't really understand English, but in his text, he told me he didn't intend to hurt me and he was sorry. I told him that it wasn't a serious issue - just football.
"The problem is that there was not even any blame. A player will get away with anything if there are no sanctions.
"I don't want to come down on referees, but we still have to do more to protect players, so that if he wants to tackle like that again, he thinks twice."
