Stadium ban a possibility as Pardew awaits fate for headbutt

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.