Thatcher faces fresh police probe

It's been reported that Ben Thatcher is facing a second police investigation in addition to the well publicised Pedro Mendes case, for which he received a six match club ban and a hefty fine ( plus whatever the FA decide at his hearing on 12th Sept )

He is now being investigated following an incident during a reserve game against Blackburn Rovers earlier this year, after which Ralph Welch, 19, complained he was elbowed in the face by Thatcher.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: 'We have had correspondence from Merseyside Police and we are investigating the matter.'

If he's charged and convicted, I would suspect that it would be the end of his career @ City and most other clubs for that matter.

On a separate matter it looks like Reading's Leroy Lita will escape a club ban for being arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

The England U21 striker hit the headlines last week for allegedly head-butting a 24-year man in Bristol hours after Reading's 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic. Although it's understood Reading have imposed a hefty fine, they have decided not to impose a club ban for the incident.

Manager Steve Coppell said: 'The situation with Leroy is still on-going in the courts. But as far as we're concerned it has been dealt with and it's finished. He'll be available for selection on Monday.'

Now we at Vital Man City were one of the first to unreservedly condemn Thatcher's behaviour and it is a concern that another alleged elbowing episode is being investigated, but why isn't Lita (and others) receiving the same sort of attention?

Is it because Thatcher's misdemeanors were on the pitch, whilst Lita's was away from the ground? ... and should it matter?

Is Thatcher now a marked man ( no pun intended ) and is he now being singled out for special treatment, whilst others seem to get away with it? ( for instance Michael Brown's challenge on Ryan Giggs)

How will we feel if Lita scores the winner against City on Monday night?

We need consistency here !

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