City impose Thatcher ban
31 Aug 2006 - 08:22:06
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- City impose Thatcher ban
Manchester City have hit Ben Thatcher with a six-game suspension for the forearm smash which hospitalised Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes.
The final two games of the ban are suspended, meaning the full-back could return to the team for the home Premiership game against West Ham on September 23.
The 30-year-old sat out last weekend's 1-0 win over Arsenal and will also miss the forthcoming trips to Reading and Blackburn, together with the Carling Cup tie against Chesterfield.
The Citizens have also fined Thatcher six weeks' wages, two of which are suspended.
City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh told the club's official website: "As custodians of the club, and football in general, the board and the manager felt it was important to act as soon as possible."
Thatcher could still face further punishment after being charged with serious foul play by the Football Association.