Pardew hit with seven-game ban

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has been hit with a seven-game suspension for his headbutt on Hull City midfielder David Meyler.

The pair clashed midway through the second half of Newcastle’s 4-1 win at the KC Stadium on March 1 as Meyler went to retrieve the ball for a throw-in next to the dugouts.

Pardew reacted to contact from the Irishman by lunging at him, with referee Kevin Friend immediately sending him to the stands.

Newcastle fined the 52-year-old £100,000 for his actions, and the Football Association (FA) announced on Tuesday that Pardew will serve a seven-match ban with immediate effect, subject to any appeal, after he admitted a charge of misconduct.

The former West Ham boss has also been fined a further £60,000 and warned as to his future behaviour.

An FA statement read: “An Independent Regulatory Commission today ruled the first three matches imposed are a stadium ban with the remaining four a touchline ban.”

Pardew will therefore be absent from the ground for Newcastle’s upcoming fixtures against Fulham, Crystal Palace and Everton, and will not be allowed in the dugout for their clashes with Southampton, Manchester United, Stoke City and Swansea City.

He will be allowed back on the touchline for his side’s trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on April 28.

In an official club statement, Newcastle announced both the club and Pardew have accepted the FA’s decision and “now wish to draw a line under the matter”.

Pardew commented: “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 vital game against Fulham and finishing the season as strongly as possible.”

Pardew was given a two-game touchline ban last season for an altercation with an assistant referee, and was warned by the FA over his future conduct after a foul-mouthed tirade aimed at Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini in January.