Footballer’s spouse requested ‘what have you ever completed’ after ‘worst foul in Premier League historical past’

A former Premier League player was asked by his wife ‘what have you done’ after committing one of the most disgraceful fouls in Premier League history

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A Premier League defender was slammed by his wife after making a disgraceful challenge that prompted a police investigation.

Manchester City’s match against Portsmouth in 2006 became infamous after one of the most notorious fouls in the Premier League was committed. While the goalless draw on a Tuesday night wasn’t at all memorable, Ben Thatcher’s horrendous challenge on Pedro Mendes has gone down in infamy and tarnished his name forever.

A second-half corner had been cleared by the City defence and the ball bounced towards the touchline where Pompey midfielder Mendes, who turned 46 last week, was attempting to keep the ball in play before Thatcher brutally arrived on the scene.

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Mendes got to the ball first, hoofing it clear down the line. But Thatcher continued his challenge with full momentum, slamming into the Portuguese at extreme force, knocking him to the floor head first and sending him sliding towards the advertising hoardings.

While the tackle didn’t prompt initial fury from the Portsmouth players, who were more concerned with the stricken Mendes’ welfare, Harry Redknapp blew his top after the match. Aside from the ferocity of the challenge itself, Redknapp was incensed that the X-rated foul only drew a yellow card from referee Dermot Gallagher.

“Off the field, you could not meet a nicer boy,” Redknapp said of Thatcher. “Unfortunately, on the pitch he is capable of doing things like that.

“It was a horrendous challenge and totally out of order. Pedro is in hospital and won’t be coming back with us tonight. He suffered some kind of fit or seizure.

“We had to give him oxygen and he wasn’t in a great way when he left the stadium, but we will see how he is tomorrow.”

Portsmouth midfielder Matty Taylor was equally as incensed as his manager: “The FA have to do something,” he said. “It is there for all to see. I do not want to see anyone suspended but how could that possibly not be a red card? What do you have to do to get a red, kill someone?”

Thatcher made a public apology after the game, saying: “Immediately after the game I tried to find out how Pedro was. I have written to him today apologising for what happened.”

But it didn’t end there. Greater Manchester Police received a ‘number of complaints’ from the public about the challenge and liaised with Mendes about potential legal action. Mendes opted not to take it any further. The FA also began an investigation into Thatcher’s tackle.

Redknapp doubled down on his earlier statement, echoing the words of Taylor. “The FA have to do something,” he said. “It is there for all to see. I do not want to see anyone suspended but how could that possibly not be a red card? What do you have to do to get a red, kill someone?”

City suspended Thatcher indefinitely and fined him two weeks’ wages. Manager Stuart Pearce said: “What happened on Wednesday was indefensible. Any form of discipline will be discussed at board level, kept internal and we will move on from there.

“I can assure everybody that this has hit the player very hard. There is no bravado about him. He has gone home, turned on the TV and seen the challenge. The more you watch it, the worse it gets.”

“Ben is distraught but hopefully he will learn from it. He is an aggressive player but every now and then the red mist appears and he steps over the mark. I ask my team to play hard but fair but when they go over the mark it’s down to me to make sure I guide them in the right way.”

Thatcher reflected on the whole saga in 2014. He said: “My dad asked me the following day, what were you thinking? And the honest truth is, I couldn’t tell you,” he admitted. “I honestly can say I don’t know whether I hit him with my arm, my elbow, my head. I’ve just run at him.

“I didn’t realise the severity of it until their centre-half after the game, Linvoy Primus, said you better go and see him and apologise to him. I said ‘is it that bad?’ He said, ‘yeah, it was bad.’

“I remember going into my house after it, an evening game, and seeing my wife in bed looking at the telly. She said ‘what have you done?’. It was only then I actually saw the coverage.”