Ben Thatcher is a disgrace and a thug [
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Harry Redknapp has urged the Football Association to intervene in the current furore surrounding Ben Thatcher and mete out appropriate punishment.
Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes was left hospitalised after Thatcher caught him with a forearm smash in Wednesday's game at Eastlands.
Mendes had to spend a night in Manchester Royal Infirmary after having a fit as a result of being hit into the advertising hoardings following Thatcher's disgraceful challenge.
An unsighted referee Dermot Gallagher produced only a yellow card, which means under normal circumstances The FA would be unable to intervene and issue any kind of retrospective punishment.
However, due to the severity of the incident, The FA have decided to launch an investigation with Redknapp firmly of the opinion that appropriate action needs to be taken.
"I don't want to see the police getting involved. It is football's problem and the game should deal with it,'' said Redknapp.
"Let's hope that The FA can take the most appropriate action possible.
"It is one of the worst incidents I've ever seen in the game.
"Pedro is disgusted by what has been done to him. I know Ben Thatcher and off the field he is genuinely a good lad off the pitch but on the pitch he sometimes loses it.
"There is no way I can defend what he did. You cannot defend it and I've told Stuart Pearce (City's manager) he can't defend it either. There is no way of defending it.
"Stuart is apologetic. Of course, he is but something has got to be done. Let's be honest, it was brutal."
Following the failure of Gallagher to spot the incident fully, Redknapp has called for the use of cameras, which he believes would eradicate any such errors in the future.
"What football should be doing is giving the fourth official a small monitor which he can have by him at the side of the pitch and tell the referee he has made mistake,'' he added.
"Dermot is as honest as the day is long but on Wednesday he made a big mistake giving only a yellow card.
"While Pedro was being treated, the fourth official could have told Dermot he had seen a better view of the incident and told him what really happened.
"This is the way football should be going. It was clear to me what was going to happen. Thatcher hit Pedro with all he had and I could see it happening five seconds before it did.
"We don't know when Pedro will be able to play again, but it could be some time. Then we have got to see how he comes back.
"All our lads were sickened by it. They did well not to react badly and carry on playing. We don't want anything like this in football. We are there to play, not hurt each other."
LS's Tip of the weekESSENTIAL OILS aren't essential unless you're an engine, a gearbox or a twatEdited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/25/2006 06:06PM by LS..