Footballer Robin van Persie was injured in last night’s friendly match between The Netherlands and Italy.

The Arsenal striker had to be carried off the pitch on a stretcher after he was injured in a tackle by Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini just 14 minutes into game. Fellow Dutch players believe the Italian player intentionally injured van Persie, according to Dutch news agency ANP. Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk says he has probably torn ligaments in his ankle, which happens from time to time in football. Later the player entered a plane home on crutches.

Robin van Persie has been a star player for Arsenal this season. The incident raises the question whether professional football clubs should have to lend their expensive players for friendly international matches.

The game ended in a goalless draw in the Italian town of Pescara, near the l’Aquila region, which was devastated by an earthquake earlier this year. Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst handed over a 25,000-euro donation from the Royal Netherlands Football Association to the victims of the earthquake before the kick-off.

Photo: Robin van Persie - Wikimedia Commons/Paul Blank