What Ben Thatcher did to Pedro Mendes in 2006 was one of the most VIOLENT things ever seen on a football pitch. A deliberate, premeditated elbow to the face that knocked Mendes unconscious and left him having convulsions on the ground. It was so bad that even the hardest players in the league were shocked.
Country: Wales Position: Left-back Career: 1992-2010 Clubs: Millwall, Wimbledon, Tottenham, Leicester, Manchester City, Charlton, Ipswich
The Rap Sheet
- Elbowed Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes unconscious in 2006 — one of the worst assaults in PL history
- Mendes suffered convulsions on the pitch and needed oxygen treatment from paramedics
- Was banned for only 8 games — fans and pundits said it should have been a lifetime ban
- Had previously elbowed Nicky Summerbee in the face while playing for Wimbledon in 1998
- Police investigated the Mendes incident as a potential criminal assault
The Verdict
Football has seen many bad tackles and dirty fouls, but what Thatcher did to Mendes was something else entirely. It was an assault, pure and simple. The fact that he only got 8 games makes it even worse. Some things go beyond football, and this was one of them.
Tomorrow: #21 — Stay tuned for the next villain!
