Ben Thatcher’s tackle back in 2006 still remains as one of the horrendous challenge in the Premier League history.
The match was a draw and both set of fans would have forgotten the game. However, the match will forever stay in Premier League history, as Ben Thatcher’s tackle on Portsmouth’s Pedro Mendes in the second-half of the game.
Basically Thatcher came crashing into Mendes with his elbow catching him in the jaw and leaving him in the floor unconscious. Despite the rash tackle, referee Dermot Gallagher only gave him a yellow card for the offence.
Then Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp said :-
“The FA have to do something.
“It is there for all to see. I do not want to see anyone suspended but how could that possibly not be a red card? What do you have to do to get a red, kill someone?”
Afterward, Thatcher made an public apology after the incident. He said :-
“Immediately after the game I tried to find out how Pedro was. I have written to him today apologising for what happened.”
CITY DECIDED TO SUSPEND AND FINE THATCHER AFTER HIS HORRIFIC TACKLE
However, City decided to suspend Thatcher indefinitely and fined him two weeks wage. Manager at that time, Stuart Pearce said :-
“What happened on Wednesday was indefensible.
“Any form of discipline will be discussed at the board level, kept internal and we will move on from there. I can assure everybody that this has hit the player very hard. There is no bravado about him. He has gone home, turned on the TV and seen the challenge. The more you watch it, the worse it gets.
“Ben is distraught but hopefully he will learn from it. He is an aggressive player but every now and then the red mist appears and he steps over the mark. I ask my team to play hard but fair but when they go over the mark it’s down to me to make sure I guide them in the right way.”
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