Kaka needs more protection, pleads Milan official

World player of the year Kaka, seen here on January 2008, has extended his contract at AC Milan until 2013

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani re-iterated on Friday calls for players such as Kaka to be given more protection from referees.

Earlier in the week the European champions issued a statement claiming the world player of the year's career was in danger from constant fouls and calling on referees to look after him.

They claimed he could have his career ended early, like the great Dutch forward Marco van Basten, if he was not given more protection.

Ahead of a crucial period of the season as AC Milan look to progress in the Champions League and climb up the Serie A table, Galliani has again called on authorities to act.

"Unfortunately they tolerate too many fouls, not only on Kaka but on many players," he said of the referees.

"I think they need to start sending people off if they hurt another player."

Kaka has spent a little time on the sidelines during the second half of the season but that was more due to a long-standing knee problem than rough treatment from opponents.

Milan's busy fixture schedule hasn't helped either and that's a concern for Galliani.

"We are quite worried because we're tired, we've played more than anyone else," he said.

"We knew the Club World Cup in Japan would cost us a lot of hard work, I think since January we've played 13 matches in 40 days (actually 45), that's borderline impossible.

"Now we have to gather all our mental strength for an important match on Tuesday."

Milan host Lazio in Serie A on Saturday and then entertain Premier League leaders Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday, with the tie finely balanced at 0-0 following the first leg in London 10 days ago.