Probably the Nastiest Tackle you’ll see all Year

Disgraceful!!! Dirtiest fing iv eva seen prob coz he's an ex tottenham player dirty n no need 4 it!

20 match ban im finkin!

i wonder what that guy said to him, must of been something racist or about his mama.

the guy is an animal, just like Zidane

If that's his attitude what he needs is a shrink. Never let him onto the pitch of a stadium ever again.

What worries me is that its not the first time Thatcher does that. He did the same trick in pre season and also a few years ago (both times leaving the other player unconscious).

Disgusting & deliberate to injury. This man should never step on the pitch again. He was never going for the ball, just to knock Mendes out of the game. Don't do a Italian investigation and start sanctions and then change your mind.

I would expect to see that outside the pub on a friday not on a football field. I am a portsmouth supporter and beleive that ben thatcher should be banned for at least ten games.

If that's a yellow, I'm afraid to ask what that ref would consider a red - ripping off the opponent's arm and beating him with it?

what a way to start the season. tsk. that dumb bloke.

Correction (my bad):

It does seem that the FA are video reviewing. Thank heavens for small favours. Let's hope the poor victim gets out of hospital soon.

Horrendous.

Yet again, I get to rant about my pet idea: Post-match video review and penalties given against revolting thug crap like that. And I mean big money.

How on EARTH did he only get yellow? What is wrong with that ref? He should be suspended a few matches too!

I can see it now. By the end of the year, we'll be able to make a full side, maybe two, (subs included) with folk like Hatcher and Materrazzi, unless the powers that be get on the stick and show some oversight.

What dan said - that's assault and should result in charges. It's one thing to run into him, but to elbow the guy in the face at full speed... Damn.

Disgusting, just disgusting. That's not even a tackle, it's assault. No need to suspend him, just throwing him in prison will do.

Disgusting! Could Pedro Mendes being Portuguese be the reason why that happened? C. Ronaldo is also being targeted just as Paulo Fereira and Carvalho are. Its the Portuguese fault that England cant win a World Cup, they won the Cup in 1966 and they robbed Portugal, or Eusebio and Portugal would have won the cup.........

Cowardly, cheap shot. He has to be suspended for the rest of the season. No place for that type of attitude.

I hope he gets suspended for the rest of the season for that. What a c*unt!