Barwick: Thatcher faces further action

The Football Association have confirmed that Manchester City's punishment of Ben Thatcher does not mean he is immune to further action.

The City full-back has been charged by the FA with serious foul play following his horrific challenge on Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes. City imposed a six-match ban, two of which are suspended, on the player.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick said on Sky Sports News: "Manchester City have conducted themselves very professionally. But Ben Thatcher still has to come here and will be in front of an independent disciplinary commission who will decide what happens next."

City also fined him six weeks' wages, again with two of those weeks suspended.

But the 30-year-old could return for the Premiership clash at Eastlands against West Ham on September 23.

Manager Stuart Pearce has expressed his hope that the police and the Crown Prosecution Service take the view criminal charges are unnecessary, especially if Thatcher has been heavily punished already.

The defender has been given until September 12 to respond to the FA charge, after which a date will be set for a disciplinary hearing.