please ban him for the season

Throw him in prison.

What Thatcher did last night is outrageous and should be dealt with at the highest level. To see a City player do that made me feel sick. The longest ban and biggest fine possible should be dished out for his behaviour. I'd even go as far as say cancel his contract or at least offer him a free transfer to whoever would take him.

The FA has to act . When you consider Rooney got a 3 match ban for something that wasn't even a foul then Thatcher should get 10 games . It was a vicious assault . Under another article all City supporters to a man are condemning Thatcher . Stuart Pearce should show some bottle and fine him 2 weeks wages and banish him to the reserves .
I wouldn't be surprised if Mendes pursued a civil action .

We've all seen the incident. This is SP's reaction: " I've not had the luxury of watching it again but I don't want to see any player injured."
Sorry Pearce but that's not good enough. Watching it again is not a luxury, as his manager it is your duty. Thatcher should not be allowed to play for City again. His behaviour is unacceptable and is not in the spirit of a great football club. But then his manager is not in tune with our culture and traditions either. After watching his talentless turgid team fail to score in front of a half empty COMS he says he's proud of the team's efforts and endeavours. Proud?! I think SP would be better served in the lower leagues where effort is everything. I want to watch a team full of flair, adventure and excitement. At present we have a bunch of "hard working" journeymen and a culture which has culminated in Thatcher's disgraceful behaviour and his manager's failure to react appropriately to it. What we are witnessing today is not the City that I've followed for the past 45 years. I'll not be back until we get changes. And I know I am not alone. Until then SP and his boring journeymen can carry on without me

Ben Thatcher is a disgrace AND DOES NOT REPRESENT THE CLUB THAT i LOVE!!

what are you all going on about? i don't have any problem with city adopting an aggressive, in-your-face policy. perhaps it will stop us from being such soft touches in the future. the fa are a disgrace for re-examining it as the referee on the night saw the incident and gave a yellow card which means they can't give him more punishment by their own laws and regulations. are you lot city fans?

I don't want him to play for my club any more. I've seen the footage and... it's really making me feel upset to be honest. I don't want players playing like that for the club I support.

I hope Mendes makes a full recovery - that was assault.

The other thing about last night - why is Pearce trying to put together a team of 11 scrappers? Surely they can play with a bit of skill and flair too? In football endeavour (the word Pearce used) doesn't just mean 90 minutes of hard work, it also means slick passing, plenty of movement, plenty of shots on goal, plenty of options going forwards. Last night wasn't about endeavour. Watch Arsenal play at their best - that's endeavour. Last night was workmanlike at best. Pearce needs to be aiming a whole lot higher because performances like last night will not keep a team in the premiership. Watch how Sunderland or West Brom or Birmingham played last season and then watch last nights game. Spot the differences if you can.

Let's get this into some kind of perspective shall we? It was simply a robust, mistimed challenge from the lad which he no doubt deeply regrets. It looks like there is no lasting damage to Mr Mendes so lets not discuss whether we should reintroduce the death penalty, and concern ourselves with the probable relagation battle ahead.

Or better still, bring back the death penalty!
Ok, it was a bad challenge, but Thatcher still wears a City shirt.
Typical of some sc. Cityfans to condemn their own player.
I never saw comments like this from rags when Keane assaulted Haaland. I know we are more "noble" than rags, but alienating our own players is not acceptable either. Unlike Keane, Thacher was genuinely sorry for the result of his actions. Now leave it!

My previous post was directed at our current manager and former "uncompromising" full back Stuart Pearce.
I'd also like to address the other big issue here. MCFC itself is deeply compromised and embarrassed by this incident. The longer it holds back from action, the more it is damaged. It cannot afford to wait on events and get forced into action by the FA or FIFA. It needs to take a stand by immediately dismissing Thatcher. What happened last night goes far beyond "normal" football misbehaviour and into the realm of the unacceptable. In any other job this would be gross misconduct.

I hope that Pedro gets better soon and is back on the field of play for Pompey's next game, but as for that yob in blue (Thatcher) well I hope that the FA ban him for at least 2 years, he is garbage, cannot tackle, cannot pass, cannot even stay in his place, do us all a favour guys and ban this clown from City, and while your at it take that Taggart clone (SP) with you (Taggart never saw anything wrong with any challenge from his players either....if SP wants to act like that then let him some place else).

How Barton must be loving this-an incident that overshadows yet another appalling display for his pittance of 30k per week.

nick wythenshawe, if you're gonna quote our manager, who handled himself brilliantly on gmr after the game last night, make sure you quote the whole piece not just your own personal selection - or keep your mouth shut.
that doesn't give pearce his deserved due credit for his full and regretable comments on the matter.
do i make myself clear?

SP seems to have turned into Wenger (eyesight, not tactics - unfortunately).

He should have subbed Thatcher immediately & before being interviewed he should have had a proper look at the incident and condemned it.

It is a shame that this incident is overshadowing another awful performance - think back to the last 12 games.... No creativity, no skill, plenty of effort, long balls to a little c/forward.
At least Wimbledon had a 6ft c/forward - oh yes -so do we - he plays on the wing!

Playing like this, it will be a long season!

Thatcher should be fined very heavily and suspended for this. That was a disgraceful assault by Thatcher and there is no place at Manchester City for behaviour like that. Pearce will lose my respect totally if he doesn't condemn this. No Stuart, it's not a 'luxury' to see that again - it' s a must and partm of your job. If you won't do that then you can sling your hook Mr Pearce and take your mindless, boring, tactics and toadying to this failing board with you.

I think the FA have no option but to punish Ben Thatcher, the only time you want to see a challange like that is on Roy " world class manager" Keen how funny is that world class manager come on Quinny wake up.

Well said one and all. The ref saw it and issued a yellow card for it, and I think that therefore might preclude official action. But Pearce should act and impose a lengthy ban and fine. I wonder what will the PFA make of that?

The tacke was totally reprehensible. I was sat on the opposite side of the pitch last night so I couldn't really see what happend but upon seeing it on MOTD I have to say it sickened me. It wasn't momentum, he raised his arm on purpose and for that he needs a ban. The fact that I don't rate him as a player either doesn't come into it but we would be better at the back without him. He is reckless at best as was against Chelsea but after this all I can say is well I hope he is ashamed of himself, I am as I supsect are all true City fans. Watch the Tape Stu and then comment.

I was at the game last night, and the incident happened right in front of where I sit. Thatcher is a disgrace and it can only be described as a vicious assault never mind it being a tackle. He could have avoided it by jumping over the hoardings as he was never going to get anywhere near the ball, but he wouldn't do that, he has to act like the thug he is. I can still hear the sickening thud now from the clash of the two players. Ben Thatcher has no place at our club, and I hope he gets the lengthy ban he deserves, and then gets shipped out asap. Good Riddance.

yeah fair enough thatchers tackle was shocking and i am pretty sure he knows that himself...However people have to remember incidents involving tackles above the ankles(essien) and elbows to the head and forearms happen in every game wether we like it or not..its part of the game!..this should not be a just Ben thatcher in question but the game as a whole including the ref who showed a yellow as he witnessed it...tv needs to help the game not single out individuals... and i hope Thatcher pulls on that blue shirt cos he sure does give us the toughness that we so much need!...crazy fella askin for his contract to be cancelled...get a life

Why are the club not issuing a statement! We need to condemn this quickly as the silence at the moment is deafening and it will cast a permanent stain on the club if we do not take action quickly. I never want to see the thug in a City shirt again, he should be sacked immediately for gross misconduct

Let Thatcher go on a Free transfer to whoever wants him. On another note, Stuart Pearce is a great guy but he is not a top class manager. He has passion but tacticaly he is inept. It also baffles me how SP being one of the best left backs in the world at one time cannot sort out a decent left back for Manchester City, he has not even improved our left backs as players in his time at Man City. Sorry but SP has got to go if results don't change in the next 5 games. Bring in Curbs soon!!

What a discrace he really is, SP should publicly condem him. How can a useless thug like him get in the City team. Whats up with Jordan?
Defence for Arsenal on Saturday should be Triblisi right back, Distin left back and Dunne & Richards centre backs.
City need to get rid of Thatcher now, offer him and Sibereski plus cash to Birmingham for David Dunne.

Terminate his contract for gross misconduct and give Pearce an official warning for turning a blind eye. What has happened to Pearce's refreshing honesty when he started as Manager? Disgusted with Thatcher, Pearce and the whole performance of the team last night