City hand Thatcher six-game ban
Thatcher will miss the games against Reading, Blackburn and Chesterfield
Also In The News
|
Roy Keane has today been confirmed as the new manager of Sunderland and has revealed he has a list of players he wants to bring in. |  |
Wednesday, 30, Aug 2006 09:18
Manchester City have banned defender Ben Thatcher for six games and have fined him six weeks' wages for his challenge on Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes.
The internal club decision was a separate punishment to the official Football Association judgement which will be given at a hearing on September 12th.
The challenge in the second-half of the Premiership game at the City of Manchester Stadium left the Portuguese player unconscious and hospitalised overnight.
City had already suspended the Welsh international for Saturday's win over Arsenal, meaning he will now miss three further games after the international break as two of the six matches come under a suspended sentence.
"As custodians of the club, and football in general, the board and the manager felt it was important to act as soon as possible," Manchester City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh said.
In other news, City have confirmed that striker Andy Cole is set to leave the club.
The former England international, who joined the club in July 2005, has said he wants to join Portsmouth before the transfer window shuts.
"Manchester City can confirm that while we do not wish to lose Andrew at such a late stage in the transfer window, he has expressed a desire to leave the club and join Portsmouth," a statement on the club's website said.
Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has said the south coast club are interested in signing the player.