Newcastle United have acted quickly to sanction Alan Pardew after the manager head-butted Hull City midfielder David Meyler, fining him over $167,000 (£100,000) in what’s sure to be the first punishment delivered to the Magpies’ boss.
The club, in a statement posted to the team’s official website, called Pardew’s behavior “unacceptable” in what it said would be their last comment on the matter. England Football Association, will undoubtedly have its say on the incident before the matter is settled, with chairman Greg Dyke calling the offense “serious and we will investigate it.”
From Newcastle’s statement:His behaviour was unacceptable and is not the behaviour we expect from the manager of Newcastle United ...
Alan unreservedly apologised immediately following the game to the player, to Hull City Football Club and its fans, and to the fans of Newcastle United.
We have held discussions this evening with Alan who has offered his sincere apologies to the Club and it is clear he deeply regrets his actions. Alan has accepted a formal warning from the Club in relation to his behaviour today and also a Club fine of £100,000.
The Club is now drawing a line under this matter and will be making no further comment.
(MORE: Hull City 1-4 Newcastle United: Magpies win shrouded in controversy as Pardew sees red (video))
The fine may be the more lenient of Pardew’s punishments, with former Magpies’ boss Graeme Sounness calling the manager’s action “a sackable offense”. While Newcastle’s statement hints that prospect is unlikely, the FA may yet escalate Pardew’s punishment.
