Manchester City have banned Ben Thatcher for six games and handed him a six week fine for the assault on Portsmouth`s Pedro Mendes. Two matches and two weeks fine are suspended, effectively meaning Thatcher will miss four games and be fined somewhere in the region of £80,000
The club have acted unilaterally in an attempt to stave off some of the criticism thrown at it last week in the wake of Thatcher`s challenge. Some will argue that the club has not gone far enough whilst others will no doubt argue that Thatcher has been made a scapegoat for football`s ills. However, it must be remembered that the FA is still to act and City must be expecting an extension to the suspension they have already imposed on the player.
This site moved quickly to condemn Thatcher and stands by the club in support of the punishment handed out. In these days when manager`s appeal every red card, adopt selective blindness and seek to condone violent conduct, I am pleased that my club has stepped forward and said it will not accept behaviour such as Thatcher`s.
Thatcher now finds himself at a career crossroads. The FA is sure to extend his ban which will see a sustained run in the first team for Stephen Jordan. If Jordan maintains a consistent level of performance I believe it will be difficult for Thatcher to play for the club again.
Now what was that about City condoning their player`s actions? I hope other clubs have the bravery to follow suit when their player`s are guilty of violent conduct. Maybe then football will be seen as being able to police itself.
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