FA fine, ban Pardew

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been given a two-match touchline ban and a 20,000 pounds fine for improper conduct.

The charge related to an incident during Newcastle’s Premier League win over Tottenham on the opening day of the season in which the 51-year-old pushed assistant referee Peter Kirkup.

The referee during the game, Martin Atkinson, missed the altercation but the FA followed up with a charge and now, after an independent investigation, have taken action by issuing the ban and the fine.

A statement on the FA’s official website reads: “Following an Independent Regulatory Commission held today (Monday 3 September 2012), Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has been given a two match touchline suspension and fined 20,000 pounds after he accepted an FA charge of improper conduct.

“Pardew, who requested a personal hearing, was charged following an incident which occurred during his side’s match against Tottenham Hotspur on 18 August 2012.

“The suspension will take place with immediate effect.”

Pardew did apologise for his actions after the fixture, publicly admitting that what he did was ‘ridiculous’ and ‘stupid’, before indicating that he also had private words with the officials after the game.

With the ban coming into force straight away he will be forced to watch from the stands for the trip to Everton after the international break, on September 17, as well as delegate first-team duties to his assistant for the home tie with Norwich on September 22.