Random header image... Refresh for more!

Ben Thatcher is the new Marty McSorley

by Josh

I finally saw the When Ben Thatcher Attacks video over the weekend. What a filthy, violent display. I’m all for hard tackles, but this is obscene. It seems unlikely, but he should be arrested for assault.

9 comments

1 Nate { 08.29.06 at 7:11 am }

So, any retribution by the other side? Hard to believe that “tackle” would go unpunished.

In my opinion, play as hard as you like, but know that there are consequences for things that fall outside the bounds of normal, aggressive play…

2 Josh { 08.29.06 at 7:37 am }

No, nothing from Portsmouth. City suspended him of their own accord and the FA also punished him.

Hard not to cringe when you watch it.

3 Mark { 08.29.06 at 9:13 am }

I would have to say kudos to both Portsmouth (for not retaliating) and to City (for suspending Thatcher when it seemed the FA would not be punishing him)

I found this article a good read on the controversy though.

4 Nate { 08.29.06 at 9:17 am }

Maybe I’m too steeped in the unwritten eye for an eye rules of baseball, but I can’t help but think he’ll get blindsided by someone from Portsmouth, even if it’s a year off.

I’m all for letting the scoreboard do the talking, but there comes a point when you have to stand up for your teammates.

5 William K. Wolfrum { 08.29.06 at 1:13 pm }

I agree with the guys column you linked to that assault charges would be silly and be a bad precedent.

However, I have to say I agree with Nate, though I’d be terribly surpised if he takes the field again against Portsmouth. But If Portsmouth had the opportunity — unless Thatcher gets put off for a year — have a third string winger out there just waiting for the opening to take him out. You can’t have your team take on a look of a victim. Otherwise, you look like the U.S. Democratic Party ;)

Though likely (and I don’t know the scheduling) the teams will probably only play once again this year. If the guy is put off for the remainder of the year, I’d say that evens it out enough.

I hadn’t seen the video yet, thanks for posting it.

–WKW

6 Mark { 08.29.06 at 2:20 pm }

I’m not sure he needs to be put off for the entire year. If the punishment should fit the crime, he should be suspended from play until Mendes can take the field to play again.

7 bq { 08.29.06 at 5:32 pm }

I thought I had heard that the ref was suspened by the FA from EPL games for not carding him. Did anyone hear the same?

8 Mark { 08.30.06 at 6:12 am }

bq,

The ref has been removed from his next refereeing assignment, a league two encounter. I don’t think he will be booted from the Prem altogether though.

9 Thatcher won’t face charges at ThroughBall.com { 09.29.06 at 7:12 am }

[...] Manchester City defender, Ben Thatcher will not face criminal repercussions for his vicious attack on Pedro Mendes. [...]

Leave a Comment