Alan Pardew’s hot temper landed him in real trouble this time.
The Newcastle United manager headbutted Hull City’s David Meyler in the second half of his team’s 4-1 Premier League victory on Saturday.
The incident occurred in the 72nd minute after Meyler pushed Pardew aside as he was chasing a ball out of bounds. Pardew exchanged words with the Hull City midfielder, and Meyler got in his face. The Magpies boss then pushed his forehead into Meyler’s face.
The referee cautioned Meyler and immediately dismissed Pardew from the bench.
Pardew, 52, apologized immediately after the game.
“I did not mean any damage to the guy but I have moved my head forward,” Pardew said, according to the BBC. “I tried to push him away with my head.
“I apologize to everyone. I should not have got involved. I don’t think it was a headbutt. It wasn’t a motion that was quick.”
The Telegraph reports Newcastle fined Pardew a month’s salary hours later, but the club will not relieve Pardew of the duties he has held since December 2010.
“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,” Newcastle said in a statement. “Alan has accepted a formal warning from the club in relation to his behavior 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.”
Pardew has been involved in five previous altercations on the sidelines, dating back to 2006, and the FA charged Pardew with violent conduct Monday. English soccer’s governing body could give Pardew a lengthy ban — perhaps for Newcastle’s final 10 games of the season or longer — given his history. The local police decided against filing criminal charges against Pardew.
Watch Pardew headbutt Meyler in the video below.
Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer or @mkomard, his Facebook page or NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here.
