FIFA medical chief Michel D'Hooghe has a message for players at the World Cup in South Africa: You'll pay for those hard tackles.

D'Hooghe said Wednesday that he plans to give referees plenty of instruction and warning about rough play, adding that a big event like the World Cup offers a chance to send the message that bone-crunching take-downs are unacceptable.

Players don't always get red carded for these challenges, as they invariably claim they were trying to get the ball and a severe injury was accidental.

Defender Kieran Gibbs broke a bone in his left foot in November and was left with what manager Arsene Wenger called "a big hole in his leg" following a tackle in the Champions League by Standard Liege player Eliaqium Mangala.

Gibbs did not play again this season, while midfielder Aaron Ramsey could be out for as long as a year after his leg was broken in February by Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross.

The rough play this season has also had an impact on several World Cup teams. Germany captain Michael Ballack tore ligaments in his right ankle in the FA Cup final because of a wild tackle from an opponent.