The attempted beheading of Pedro Mendez

[Lazie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTRaS7ffyWg

[Lazie]

RE: The attempted beheading of Pedro Mendez

<H1>Police and FA to investigate Thatcher incident</H1><BR clear=all><DIV class=text11 style="BACKGROUND: #fff"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they will investigate Ben Thatcher's challenge on Pedro Mendes during Wednesday night's Premiership match between Manchester City and Portsmouth at the City of Manchester Stadium. <DIV class=phinline>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 275px"><DIV class=photocred2>NealSimpson/Empics</DIV><DIV class=photosubtext>Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp turns away as Medics treat Miguel Pedro Mendes.</DIV></DIV></DIV>

Football Association officials are looking at their own regulations for punishing players to see if further action can be taken against Thatcher. The Manchester City full-back crashed into the Portuguese midfielder in the second half of the goalless draw at Eastlands. The Portsmouth player was knocked unconscious and spent the night in hospital. 'We are looking at whether this may possibly be an exceptional case and what options may exist under our disciplinary regulations,' an FA spokesman said. Greater Manchester Police confirmed Thatcher could also be interviewed by police if Mendes decides to pursue the matter with a formal complaint. A spokeswoman said today: 'Greater Manchester Police has received a number of complaints from members of the public following an incident in which a player was injured during the Manchester City v Portsmouth match on Wednesday 23 August 2006. 'Officers will now be liaising with the injured player, the clubs and the Football Association to review this matter and determine if any further action is required.' Referee Dermot Gallagher gave Thatcher a yellow card for the challenge, meaning the 30-year-old defender should escape further sanctions under strict disciplinary guidelines. The tackle, which sent 27-year-old Mendes into the advertising hoardings, was condemned by Pompey boss Harry Redknapp and later by television pundits who examined the forearm challenge. 'The FA have to do something,' said the Portsmouth manager. '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?' Mendes has left hospital and will travel back to Portsmouth with club officials. 'He will continue to be under medical and neurological supervision during the forthcoming week,' read a statement on official Portsmouth website. Officers will now speak to Mendes, both clubs and the Football Association to decide what action to take - which could result in the Premiership player being charged with assault. The City defender has previously been punished for elbowing Sunderland's Nicky Summerbee in 2000, for which he received a two-game ban, and may now find himself in hot water again following his latest indiscretion. Manchester City have made no comment on the matter so far, and it is not known whether Thatcher will face any internal disciplinary action from his own club.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV>

[Courtney]

RE: The attempted beheading of Pedro Mendez

How long is a life ban ??

Police fi lock him up cause i don't think anything can be done as he was already given a yellow card . probably only FIFA can act now if memory serves me right .

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh>Thatcher faces FA &amp; police probes </DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><DIV class=mvb><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=416 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom><DIV class=mvb><SPAN class=byl>By John May </SPAN>
<SPAN class=byd></SPAN></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</DIV><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><DIV> <DIV class=cap>Mendes needed oxygen pitchside</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The Football Association and Greater Manchester Police are to launch investigations into Ben Thatcher's challenge on Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes.

Manchester City defender Thatcher was shown a yellow card after knocking Mendes out with his arm.

An FA spokesman said it will investigate whether they can take further action against Thatcher.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed it had received complaints which it is "duty bound" to investigate.

Mendes needed oxygen at the pitchside and was later taken to hospital after Thatcher's arm propelled the Portuguese midfielder into advertising hoardings.

Thatcher could escape punishment as referees are not allowed to retrospectively upgrade yellow cards.

An FA spokesman said: "We are looking at whether this may possibly be an exceptional case and what options may exist under our disciplinary regulations."

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibStdQuote><DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV id=q1></DIV>The FA have to do something, it is there for all to see <DIV id=q2></DIV><BR clear=all></DIV></DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV class=mva>Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

A Fifa spokesman confirmed to BBC sport: "It is one of the fundamental rules of the game that the referee's decision is final.

"Therefore, if it is his decision that an offence warrants a yellow card, that cannot be changed later."

Greater Manchester Police confirmed it had received a number of complaints about the incident and that they would be talking to both clubs, Mendes and Thatcher.

A GMP statement added: "From those talks, GMP will decide whether any further action will be taken.

"There is no official criminal investigaton but GMP is duty bound to investigate the complaints."

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp was incensed by the challenge and urged the FA to take retrospective action against Thatcher.

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?"

Mendes travelled back to Portsmouth after overnight observation and a club statement said: "He will continue to be under medical and neurological supervision during the forthcoming week." </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Mosiah]

RE: The attempted beheading of Pedro Mendez

Call me the hypocrite, but this is one occasion where I would agree with new FA rules to deal with this low-life!