Alan Pardew won’t appeal seven-match ban from FA

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has confirmed he will not be appealing the seven-match ban handed down to him by the FA.

Pardew was seen to headbutt Hull midfielder David Meyler as his side beat them 4-1 on 1st March.

He was immediately sent to the stands and handed a £100,000 fine from Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley.

After the FA charged Pardew with improper conduct two days later, he requested a personal hearing and was handed a three-match stadium ban and a further four-match touchline ban.

Speaking on Thursday for the first time since receiving his seven-match ban from the FA, he 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.

“I should never have walked forward and got involved in that situation when [Meyler] pushed me.”

The punishment sees Pardew, 52, become the first Premier League manager to be handed a full stadium ban.

He was also obliged to pay a further £60,000 in fines to the FA, in addition to the ban, which he also accepted.

“Men make mistakes – my mistake was in front of millions of people, and you have to pay a price,” he said.

“It was a hefty price to pay. Mike acted swiftly, and I accepted that and we go forward.”

Pardew revealed he has since spoken to both the Newcastle board and the League Managers’ Association over his behavioural issues.

“I’ve had something like 678 games and only had one touchline ban before this one, but that doesn’t mean to say what I did has any justification.

“I’ve spoken to the LMA about maybe some management consultant issues that I could look at that might help.

“What I must do coming out of this situation is become a better manager.”

Pardew has repeatedly offered his apologies to Hull boss Steve Bruce, who has been nominated for Manager of the Month for February, to Meyler and all others affected by the incident, and continues to do so following the decision.

“I just want to reiterate my apologies, to David and Steve (Bruce) in particular, to fans up and down country, but particularly my own at Newcastle who have been terrific,” he said.

“Also the club and Mike (Ashley, Newcastle owner) for supporting me over a situation I should never have got involved in and was stupid.

“I sent a letter to Steve to say there was no animosity on my side towards David, and to say sorry basically for the incident that happened. I deeply regret it.”

Pardew has a history of altercations on the sidelines; whilst at West Ham United he clashed with Arsenal manager Arséne Wenger twice in 2006, including an incident in which Wenger claimed he was ‘provoked’ into shoving Pardew.

On the opening day of the 2012 season, Pardew pushed an official as Newcastle took on Spurs when he disagreed with a decision.