Don't the Dutch care about injuries?

The KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) and their national coach Bert van Marwijk have been heavily criticized over the last few month's by German giants FC Bayern Munich for playing Bayern players in Arjen Robben and Mark van Bommel even when injured and now the Germans could have fellow sufferers in FC Arsenal London as Robin van Persie has been called-up for the Netherlands international friendly on November 17 against Turkey, but the Arsenal star has not played for his club since late August after picking up an injury against Blackburn Rovers.

The issue between KNVB and Bayern Munich has gone to the extend that FIFA and the European Club Association is now involved in the matter as Bayern claim as per Bayern team doctor Dr. Müller-Wohlfarth that Arjen Robben wasn't fit to play in the World Cup, but the Dutch team doctors issued an all okay to use their player in the tournament. Robben had to sit out initial matches, but was then influential to get the Dutch to the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but Robben will surely miss the first half of Bayern's 2010/11 campaign and maybe even more as test after returning from holiday revealed the damage. Now Bayern are claiming compensation in return from the Dutch as Robben got injured while on international duty, which could go into the millions of Euros if Bayern's position is accepted. The KNVB and Bayern are in negotiations to settle the matter out of court.

But while talks were going on with the KNVB last month another Bayern Munich player in captain of the club and national team Mark van Bommel, only half fit at the time, aggrevated his injury while playing for the Dutch and Bayern officials thereafter questioned the commitment of their captain towards his club. They asked the question if van Bommel really cared about Bayern Munich, who pay his wages, and also asking if coach Bert van Marwijk and his staff bothered about the players health and their careers or only their own international matches.

Now a new potential dimension is being added to this issue with winger and striker Robin van Persie. The talented Dutch attacking player is injury prone and hasn't played too many matches for Arsenal or the Dutch national team over the years. And a call-up while still recovering from an injury has to be questioned as van Persie hasn't played a competitive game in over two month's. Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger couldn't understand the decision, which to him is totally illogical as such a friendly like against Turkey has no real value, but if van Persie does get injured then Arsenal would suffer in the coming weeks or maybe even month's.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk is said to have stated that he 'doesn't care' about Arsenal medical staff's assessment of van Persie and that his set-up wanted to have a look at the player. That surely is fine, but Wenger will keep fingers crossed that his player comes back not injured to the club.