Alan Pardew defends Mile Jedinak

Alan Pardew has defended Mile Jedinak, claiming he should not be banned for his elbow on West Ham striker Diafra Sakho.

The Australian midfielder looks set to be charged with violent conduct by the FA after the incident during the Eagles’ 3-1 win at Upton Park on Saturday.

Jedinak will be banned for four games if the case is proven as it will be his second red card offence of the season.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s game at Southampton,the Crystal Palace manager said: “I have seen it (the incident). I have seen it immediately after the game because it was highlighted to me by the press.

“I have seen worse incidents where nothing has happened so I’ll be surprised if something happens with this, but the media, as they are, have highlighted it and we will have to see where it goes.”

Pardew admits he is concerned about the current trend of players being tried by media.

“Yes I think it’s a problem and I think the FA need to be very careful of it,” he said.

“We had an incident with (West Brom defender) Craig Dawson on (Palace keeper) Julian Speroni earlier in the season – it was far worse than this incident and nothing was done.

“It is about where are the guidelines and what are we doing? In retrospect it is very, very difficult anyway and I think the FA has a tough job as well.

“It’s difficult, where do you draw the line? Does the referee ref it and see what he has seen, but retrospective on sending offs and diving? All of this is in the agenda, of course, and we need to have some clear guidelines.”