Alan Pardew takes it on the chin

ALAN PARDEW faces punishment for the head-butting incident that led to his sending-off last Saturday.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew will not contest the charges levelled at him during

ALAN PARDEW faces punishment for the head-butting incident that led to his sending-off last Saturday.

The Football Association, which formally charged the Newcastle United manager with improper conduct, has designated the episode as “non-standard” given its “serious violent and/or aggressive nature”.

Pardew was sent to the stands during Newcastle's 4-1 victory over Hull City at the KC Stadium after his touchline altercation with David Meyler, during which he thrust his head towards the Hull player, and a lengthy touchline suspension or even a ban from the stadium on match days seems inevitable.

He has already been fined 100,000 pounds by his club and given a formal warning, although it is understood that he retains the support of Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner.

Pardew has until 6pm on Thursday to make an official response, but he will not contest the charge and will accept whatever sanction the FA imposes without appeal or complaint.

Sources close to the 52-year-old are adamant that Pardew, who has a history of combustible behaviour in front of the dugout, is genuinely remorseful for his conduct, which detracted from Newcastle's win, and will seek to spend less time beside the pitch in future.

Pardew has been involved in touchline spats with Manuel Pellegrini and Arsene Wenger and, two years ago, pushed an official, later describing his own intervention as “ridiculous”.

While Meyler was the instigator of the latest controversy, the midfielder having pushed the opposing manager, Pardew may choose to watch games from the directors' box once his ban is served.

There will be no censure from Humberside Police.

“Having reviewed the circumstances of the incident, it has been agreed that the matter will be dealt with by the FA rather than considering any criminal proceedings,” Chief Inspector Rich Kirven said in a statement.

“There has been no complaint received from the player involved or Hull City Association Football Club at this time.

“While we appreciate that some people may have found the behaviour displayed at the game on Saturday offensive, Humberside Police will not be taking any further action.’’

Meyler, 24, has now reported for international duty with Ireland, where his restraint was praised by Roy Keane, the assistant manager and fellow native of Cork.

“He did exactly what you would expect him to do,” Keane said. “He's a Corkman, isn't he? I had to put that one in. We don't go down easily. I'm not sure I would have got involved in anything like that. There's been no surprise for me with Meyler. I know the type of character he is.”

In their official statement on Saturday night, Newcastle described Pardew's behaviour as “unacceptable”, but his position is not understood to be in jeopardy, with Ashley offering his backing to the man he secured to an eight-year contract in September 2012.

Although there have been disappointing results in both domestic cup competitions and two defeats by Sunderland, their local rivals, Newcastle are eighth in the Barclays Premier League, two points behind Manchester United, and comfortably in sight of Ashley's target of a top-ten finish.

As they did last May, Ashley and his fellow directors will assess team and management performances at the end of the season, but, as things stand, Pardew has delivered what has been asked of him and, in private, the billionaire sportswear retailer is understood to be supportive.

The Times