Seven match ban for Alan Pardew's Hull City headbutt

The FA have published a list of reasons detailing why Alan Pardew was given a seven game ban for head butting Hull City's midfielder David Meyler.

Many expected a harsher punishment and Pardew admits he feared the sack after his outburst.

The full report from the disciplinary committee is available on thefa.com

Hull boss Steve Bruce has accepted a written apology from his Newcastle counterpart Alan Pardew over the head-butting incident which marred their Barclays Premier League clash at the KC Stadium two weeks ago.

Pardew was handed a seven-match ban and a cumulative £160,000 fine after admitting an FA misconduct charge relating to a touch-line fracas with Tigers midfielder David Meyler.

The Newcastle boss revealed on Thursday he had sent a letter to Bruce apologising for his actions, and Bruce says he is now keen to draw a line under the incident.

Pardew, who has also been fined £100,000 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."

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 Football Association announced.

He was also fined £60.000 and warned as to his future conduct after the incident during Newcastle's 4-1 win at Hull on March 1.

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.

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

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been handed a seven-match suspension for his headbutt on Hull's David Meyler, the Football Association has announced.

Newcasle boss Alan Pardew is facing the prospect of a possible stadium ban at a disciplinary hearing today after admitting a misconduct charge for headbutting Hull midfielder David Meyler.

Pardew will have a personal hearing in front of a three-man independent regulatory commission who will decide on the sanction.

The 52-year-old is expected to make a personal statement outlining his contrition at having committed the offence, and the steps he will undertake to improve his behaviour.

There have been reports that Pardew may take an anger management course, but if he does so this will be entirely his own choice - the commission has no power to order him to do so.

The Newcastle manager was given a two-match touchline ban and £20,000 fine in August 2012 for pushing an assistant referee, and the commission is likely to take that offence into account when deciding on the sanction because it occurred within the last two seasons.

Pardew 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.

The prospect of a stadium ban, which means he would not be allowed to attend the match at all, rather than a touchline ban is a very real one. Paul Ince was handed a five-match stadium ban in October when he was manager of Blackpool for a "violent push" on a match official.

The headbutting incident happened when Magpies were leading 3-1 at the KC Stadium when he and Meyler came into contact as Hull's Irish midfielder chased a ball out of play close to the Newcastle manager's technical area.

Match referee Kevin Friend cautioned the player for his part in the incident and then sent Pardew to the stands, from where he watched the remainder of the game.

Pardew afterwards issued a full apology and Newcastle responded within hours, warning him that his behaviour had been unacceptable and fining him £100,000.

Meyler appeared to refer to the incident in his goal celebration during Hull's 3-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday by headbutting the corner flag after scoring.

Alan Pardew was charged on Monday two days after confronting Republic of Ireland international Meyler on the touchline.

The incident is being treated as a 'non standard' offence by the FA. A range of penalties are available but there is no pre-determined punishment.

However, a lengthy stadium ban, which would prevent Pardew from watching his side in action, is one of the options.

Meyler, a former Sunderland player, had collided with Pardew as he chased a ball out of play and the older man reacted angrily, thrusting his head towards his face.

Pardew apologised after the game. Within hours of the final whistle, he had been fined £100,000 and handed a formal warning. Another sizeable fine and a touchline ban are likely to be the minimum he can expect.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has asked for a personal hearing after accepting a Football Association misconduct charge.

The 52-year-old has decided not to contest the charge against him for head-butting Hull midfielder David Meyler during last Saturday's 4-1 Barclays Premier League match.

Pardew apologised for his behaviour after the game and has asked to attend the hearing which will decide his punishment.