Thatcher gets eight-game ban

London:

Manchester City defender Ben Thatcher was banned for eight matches on Tuesday by England's Football Association. Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes had a seizure after being struck in the head by Thatcher in 0-0 draw in the English Premier League on August 23. He was taken off on a stretcher and spent the night at a Manchester hospital. Thatcher has already sat out two games in a ban imposed by the club, and will be forced to miss six more games. The Football Association has also given Thatcher a suspended 15-game ban. It would come into effect if Thatcher is cited again for a similar action in the next two years. "The suspended sanction may be activated in full or in part if Thatcher is found guilty of another serious proved case under FA Rules within the next two years," the FA said. Thatcher had already been fined 120,000 pounds by Man City. He is also under investigation in a separate complaint by a player who alleged that Thatcher elbowed him the face in a match seven months ago. The player was identified as 19-year-old Ralph Welch, who was playing for Blackburn's reserve team. (AP)

Featured Video Of The Day