Ben Thatcher disgrace for Man City
Posted by DavidM in Ben Thatcher, Portsmouth | 25 August 2006
I've seen my share of bad tackles. On Wednesday night I saw one of the worst.
Ben Thatcher's 'tackle' on Pedro Mendes hospitalised the Portsmouth player but he only received a yellow card and under FA rules may escape any further punishment.
The police are looking into it after receiving complaints from the public but it seems likely that Thatcher will face little if any punishment.
I think the rules have become far too strict on tackling and in the World Cup especially players seem barely able to challenge for the ball without being penalised. The English leagues are physical and it's part of our game.
But there is a world of difference between heavy tackling and Thatcher's behaviour on Wednesday. There is no room in the game I enjoy for that.
For those of you who missed it, have a look at the video on Caught offiside. On the slow motion replay, see where Thatcher appears to be looking as he charges in. The ball?
Comments
just like the FA, more interested in thier rules rather than doing what is right for the game,the supporters, (who pay thier wages)....a bunch of over paid self satisfied individuals,thatcher should be band for life he was fully aware of what he was doing and he and everybody who saw it knows it,if that had happened on the steets of any city he would have been arrested and put in prison by the authorities,but the FA say they can.t act because he has already been punished with a yellow card! what a bunch of tossers!
Talk of involvolving the police is a bit OTT, but he deserves a lengthy ban.
Will be interesting to see if the FA bow to pressure and give him one, or stick to the usual 'referee's word is final' routine
