Pardew hit with record ban and fine

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, right, has been handed a record seven-match ban — including a three-game stadium exclusion — for head-butting Hull midfielder David Meyler.

Pardew, who has accepted the punishment, has also been fined £60,000 (€72,000) and warned about his future conduct by an independent regulatory commission after admitting a misconduct charge.

It is the longest ban ever handed out to a Premier League manager, and not since Brian Clough was banned from the touchline — from February 1989 until the end of that season, for hitting fans who invaded the pitch — has a boss at a league club been given such a stiff punishment.

Pardew, who has also been fined £100,000 (€120,000) and given a formal warning by his club, will not appeal against the sanction.

Pardew will be banned from Craven Cottage for Newcastle’s match at Fulham, and then from St James’ Park for the home games against Crystal Palace and Everton.

The touchline bans will kick in for the games against Southampton (away), Manchester United (home), Stoke (away) and Swansea (home).

The 52-year-old appeared at a personal hearing in front of a three-man commission.

It is believed the panel also looked at recent incidents over the last two seasons.

Pardew was given a two-match touchline ban and £20,000 fine in August 2012 for pushing an assistant referee, and 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 clash with Meyler occurred during Newcastle’s 4-1 win at Hull on March 1, and led to Pardew being sent to the stands by the referee.

Other managers who have been given long bans include Paul Ince, who was given a five-game stadium ban when in charge of Blackpool earlier this season after being found guilty of “violently shoving” and swearing at a fourth official.

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies is currently serving a five-match touchline ban for using insulting words and behaviour towards a referee.

Former Rotherham and Crawley boss Steve Evans has an infamous record of suspensions. He was given a six-match stadium ban in 2012 following incidents in a match between Bradford City and Crawley. During his time with Crawley when they were a non-league club, he was given a 13-match ban in 2009 after a number of misconduct charges.