Alan Pardew to begin stadium ban

Alan Pardew will begin his stadium ban this afternoon as Newcastle take on Fulham at Craven Cottage at 3 o'clock.

The Magpies' boss has been banned for seven matches by an independent FA commission over his clash with Hull's David Meyler during Newcastle's 4-1 win on Saturday 1 March. He is barred completely from the stadium for the first three matches and must sit in the stands for the remaining four.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference earlier this week, Pardew said: “It was an independent panel and it was a decision that I was going to accept. I had no intention to appeal the decision whatever it was, and therefore was going to accept what they decided to do.”