Back to the United States Newsfeed

'It's not possible to play dirty anymore' - Koeman points to VAR after Rice's De Jong comments

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman says he is not concerned by England midfielder Declan Rice's promise to play dirty when the two sides meet in the Nations League semi-final.

The clash in Portugal on Thursday could put West Ham star Rice in direct opposition to Ajax star Frenkie de Jong, who has been labelled one of Europe's most promising midfielders and will join Barcelona this summer.

Rice vowed to get "dirty, up in his face and try and disrupt him from playing his game" when he takes on De Jong, but Koeman is sure the Dutch team can cope with England's aggression and says VAR will stop them going too far.