Soccer

Alan Pardew gets seven game ban

Newcastle manager won’t be allowed into a stadium for the first three of those matches

File photo dated 01/03/2014 of Newcastle United’s manager Alan Pardew confronting Hull City’s David Meyler (left). Photograph: Lynne Cameron/PA Wire
Tue Mar 11 2014 - 17:36

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been given a seven-match ban — and will be barred from entering stadiums for the first three games — after headbutting Hull midfielder David Meyler.

The sanction was imposed by an independent regulatory commission after Pardew had admitted a misconduct charge, the English FA announced.

He was also fined £60,000 (€72,008) and warned as to his future conduct after the incident during Newcastle’s 4-1 win at Hull on March 1st.

A statement from the FA read: “Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew will serve a seven-match suspension with immediate effect, subject to any appeal, after he admitted an FA misconduct charge.

READ SOME MORE

“An independent regulatory commission today [Tuesday, March 11th, 2014] ruled the first three matches imposed are a stadium ban with the remaining four a touchline ban.”

Pardew, who has also been fined £100,000 (€120,012) and given a formal warning by his club, said he will accept the latest punishment.

The Newcastle manager said in a statement released by his club: “As I have made clear, I deeply regret the incident and again wholeheartedly apologise to all parties for my conduct, which I understand was not acceptable.

“I will accept the punishment handed down by the FA today. My focus now turns to preparing the team for this weekend’s game against Fulham and finishing the season as strongly as possible.”

Pardew will be banned from Craven Cottage for Newcastle's match at Fulham, and then from St James' Park for the home games against Crystal Palace and Everton. The touchline bans will kick in for the games against Southampton (away), Manchester United (home), Stoke (away) and Swansea (home).

The 52-year-old appeared at a personal hearing in front of a three-man commission. It is believed the panel also looked at recent incidents over the last two seasons.

Pardew was given a two-match touchline ban and £20,000 (€24,000) fine in August 2012 for pushing an assistant referee, and was also warned about his conduct in January this year following a heated exchange when he was caught on camera swearing at Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.