It's all backwards. During the World Cup, England striker Wayne Rooney was sent off for an accidental "stamp" on Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho. Rooney still insists that it was accidental and that he was merely stopping himself from falling over. As his was was about to land on the ground whilst trying to keep himself upright, he accidentally stood on Carvalho's groin. Rooney, though, was sent off despite Carvalho suffering almost no injury whatsoever.
However, in this week's Premiership game between Manchester City and Portsmouth, Welshman Ben Thatcher of Manchester City elbowed Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes in the side of the face that left Mendes unconscious. Mendes's injuries were so severe that he had a fit and had to be connected to a drip whilst on the field and then taken to hospital where he had tests on his nervous system. Unbelievably, Thatcher was NOT sent of and only received a yellow card for a tackle that initially left players and fans fearing for Mendes's life.
Thatcher has a history of bad tackles. In a Premiership game in January 2000 between Wimbledon and Sunderland he elbowed Sunderland's Nicky Summerbee in the side of the face. And two years ago he broke two of David Beckham's ribs.
And now the police have got involved in this latest horror challenge.
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Mendes: I feared the worst
By IAN LADYMAN
25th August 2006
Helping hands: Mendes receives attention after being injured by Thatcher.
Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes has revealed how he feared Manchester City defender Ben Thatcher's horror challenge could have left him with permanent injuries.
Mendes was released from hospital yesterday having been the victim of a forearm smash by Thatcher which saw him suffer a fit while unconscious on the running track at the City of Manchester Stadium.
The full back has already been fined a week's wages by City and is now the subject of a police investigation and an FA inquiry following a challenge that could yet land him in the criminal courts.
Last night 27-year-old Mendes spoke for the first time about the incident and vowed to help the FA bring Thatcher to book.
Manchester United and England's Wayne Rooney was red carded for this accidental "stamp" on Carvalho.
But Manchester City and Wales's Ben Thatcher only received a yellow card for this tackle that left Portsmouth player Mendes unconscious and connected to a drip whilst still on the football field. He also suffered a fit.
'The moment was terrible,' said Mendes. 'After the incident my head crashed into the fence and I do not remember anything after that until I was in hospital. At first I had real fear about possible after-effects of the incident, but the doctors told me they are optimistic I will be OK.
'I am a strong person and one day I hope to forget what happened. But this is the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my career. It is the hardest to deal with.
'The tackle was totally unnecessary by Thatcher but the subject is in the hands of Portsmouth and the FA. If I am called by them to speak then I will give my opinion.'
Thatcher, who has a history of controversy, wrote to Mendes yesterday to offer his apologies for the shameful incident. He has also been fined £24,000 after City moved quickly to condemn his actions but it remains to be seen how the 30-year-old will be dealt with by the authorities.
The FA have a problem because the incident was seen by Gallagher and, under FIFA guidelines, cannot review the incident using video evidence.
But an FA spokesman said: 'We are looking at the possibillity that this was an exceptional incident and how we can take it further.'
Greater Manchester Police revealed they are looking into the incident. Thatcher could be charged following the precedent set when former Newcastle player Lee Bowyer was fined £600 last month by magistrates after admitting starting a fight on the field with teammate Kieron Dyer.
A police spokesman said: 'We have received a number of complaints from members of the public.
'Officers will now be liaising with the injured player, the clubs and the FA to review this matter and determine if any further action is required.'
dailymail.co.uk
However, in this week's Premiership game between Manchester City and Portsmouth, Welshman Ben Thatcher of Manchester City elbowed Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes in the side of the face that left Mendes unconscious. Mendes's injuries were so severe that he had a fit and had to be connected to a drip whilst on the field and then taken to hospital where he had tests on his nervous system. Unbelievably, Thatcher was NOT sent of and only received a yellow card for a tackle that initially left players and fans fearing for Mendes's life.
Thatcher has a history of bad tackles. In a Premiership game in January 2000 between Wimbledon and Sunderland he elbowed Sunderland's Nicky Summerbee in the side of the face. And two years ago he broke two of David Beckham's ribs.
And now the police have got involved in this latest horror challenge.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mendes: I feared the worst
By IAN LADYMAN
25th August 2006
Helping hands: Mendes receives attention after being injured by Thatcher.
Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes has revealed how he feared Manchester City defender Ben Thatcher's horror challenge could have left him with permanent injuries.
Mendes was released from hospital yesterday having been the victim of a forearm smash by Thatcher which saw him suffer a fit while unconscious on the running track at the City of Manchester Stadium.
The full back has already been fined a week's wages by City and is now the subject of a police investigation and an FA inquiry following a challenge that could yet land him in the criminal courts.
Last night 27-year-old Mendes spoke for the first time about the incident and vowed to help the FA bring Thatcher to book.
Manchester United and England's Wayne Rooney was red carded for this accidental "stamp" on Carvalho.
But Manchester City and Wales's Ben Thatcher only received a yellow card for this tackle that left Portsmouth player Mendes unconscious and connected to a drip whilst still on the football field. He also suffered a fit.
'The moment was terrible,' said Mendes. 'After the incident my head crashed into the fence and I do not remember anything after that until I was in hospital. At first I had real fear about possible after-effects of the incident, but the doctors told me they are optimistic I will be OK.
'I am a strong person and one day I hope to forget what happened. But this is the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my career. It is the hardest to deal with.
'The tackle was totally unnecessary by Thatcher but the subject is in the hands of Portsmouth and the FA. If I am called by them to speak then I will give my opinion.'
Thatcher, who has a history of controversy, wrote to Mendes yesterday to offer his apologies for the shameful incident. He has also been fined £24,000 after City moved quickly to condemn his actions but it remains to be seen how the 30-year-old will be dealt with by the authorities.
The FA have a problem because the incident was seen by Gallagher and, under FIFA guidelines, cannot review the incident using video evidence.
But an FA spokesman said: 'We are looking at the possibillity that this was an exceptional incident and how we can take it further.'
Greater Manchester Police revealed they are looking into the incident. Thatcher could be charged following the precedent set when former Newcastle player Lee Bowyer was fined £600 last month by magistrates after admitting starting a fight on the field with teammate Kieron Dyer.
A police spokesman said: 'We have received a number of complaints from members of the public.
'Officers will now be liaising with the injured player, the clubs and the FA to review this matter and determine if any further action is required.'
dailymail.co.uk