Thatcher out for eight: The English Football Association have hit Ben Thatcher with a massive eight-game suspension for his vicious attack on Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes at Eastlands last month.
The 30-year-old Manchester City defender was only booked at the time by referee Dermot Gallagher, who failed to spot the former Wales international smashing his forearm into Mendes' face as the pair chased for possession during the second half of the goalless Premiership draw.
Aware of the severity of the incident, the FA circumnavigated their own rules to lodge a charge of "serious foul play" against Thatcher.
The FA have now delivered their punishment which is backdated to include the two matches Thatcher has served of a club-imposed suspension, meaning the player will miss six more games.
Deery's efforts noted
Derry City midfielder Kevin Deery has been named as the Eircom/Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland player of the month for August, a month in which the 21-year-old produced a string of fine performances both at home and in Europe for his club, writes Emmet Malone.
The Ireland under-21 international played a key part in his club's progress in both the National League and FAI Cup but it was for his two goals in Motherwell against Gretna in the Uefa Cup that he really made the headlines.
"The Gretna night was special,"said Deery yesterday. "To score two goals like that in a game so important was amazing. To win 5-1 capped it all off because with the supporters coming all the way to watch us and make the noise they did."
After another impressive display against Shelbourne in the FAI Cup Deery was singled out by Paris St German manager Guy Lacombe as one of the players his side will have to be wary of when they take on City in the first leg of their Uefa Cup first-round tie tomorrow night.
His league form also helped City maintain their challenge to the Tolka Park outfit at the top of the table.
Saints helping out
St Patrick's Athletic have lent their support for a new initiative aimed at providing emotional support to teenagers who are encountering emotional difficulties in the Ballyfermot and surrounding areas, reports Emmet Malone.
Along with Dublin City Council and the club's sponsors, Smart Telecom, St Patrick's will support the Samaritans-backed scheme.
The organisers of the initiative are currently looking for volunteers to help run the service, Samaritans Teenhelp, and those interested in getting involved can get in touch at recruit@samaritans.ie or on (1890) 200 091.
Real out for revenge
Real Madrid's improved defence should help them avoid a second humiliating start in successive seasons at Olympique Lyon in the Champions League tonight.
The Spanish side, who meet Lyon at Gerland in Group E, went down 3-0 to the French champions in their opening group match last year. The addition of Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro has done much to strengthen the Real back four, while Lyon old boy Mahamadou Diarra has settled in alongside Emerson in central midfield.
Lyon prepared by beating Troyes 2-0 on Saturday with Juninho setting up the first goal and scoring the second.
In brief . . .
Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard is to undergo surgery on his right knee after suffering an agonising injury in the 2-1 win at Newcastle and will be out for the rest of the season . . . Yossi Benayoun (26) has pledged his future to West Ham by agreeing terms on a new five-year deal . . . Manchester City have submitted a claim to the English FA for wrongful dismissal following Ousmane Dabo's red card against Reading.
