Alan Pardew faces lengthy stadium ban as the FA prepare to get tough with Newcastle boss

The Toon manager faces a lengthy ban as the FA are ready to throw the book at him after taking previous incidents into account

Alan Pardew is set to be banned from football grounds for at least five games after his nut job on David Meyler.

The Toon boss is to be excluded for at least half of Newcastle’s remaining games this season and could even miss the rest of the season.

He won’t even be allowed in the ground to watch from the stands, as the Football Association get tough.

FA chairman Greg Dyke ruled his head-butt on Meyler was a “serious” incident, and Pardew will be slapped with a banning order similar to those given to crowd hooligans.

The FA will receive referee Kevin Friend’s report this morning and immediately charge Pardew with misconduct. Paul Ince was given a five game “stadium ban” for ranting at a fourth official earlier this season, and Pardew’s punishment will certainly exceed that.

Pardew was fined £100,000 by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, who will review Pardew’s managerial position in the summer knowing he holds all the aces should he want to make a change.

The incident will allow Ashley to cancel Pardew’s eight-year contract because it amounted to gross misconduct or bringing the club into disrepute.

But for now they have “drawn a line” under the affair. The money from the fine will be given to the Newcastle United Foundation charity.

Only one month ago Newcastle’s reserve team coach Willie Donachie was suspended, then later quit, after striking Remy Street after a game.

Now their first team boss is in a similar position with Pardew admitting he used his forehead against Meyler, but disputing the use of the term “headbutt”.

Pardew offered a quick and sincere apology after his side’s 4-1 win at Hull and admitted feeling “disappointed” with himself.

The FA ban will be severe because he has a previous conviction for shoving a referee’s assistant. Pardew was given a two-game ban and fined £20,000 in September 2012 for “improper conduct.” He also had a touchline spats with Arsene Wenger in 2006 and with Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill.

But while Pardew accepts he was in the wrong at Hull’s KC Stadium, he has hit back at Newcastle legends who told him to quit.

Pardew, who has led Newcastle to eighth spot this season despite selling Yohan Cabaye and spending no money in the last two transfer windows, was defiant when told that ex-Newcastle boss Graeme Souness and striker Alan Shearer had both suggested his position was untenable.

He blasted at Souness: “It’s a bit strong coming from him. You know he is the man who took a flag and planted it in the middle of a derby situation, (when Galatasaray manager against Fenerbahce in 1995) so coming from him it is a bit harsh.

“But people have their own opinions and I can’t do anything about that.

“Am I disappointed in myself? Of course, yes. I shouldn’t have been there. The player has got involved with me and I shouldn’t have done that.

“I don’t think it can do any harm to my management to just sit there from now on, and maybe I’m at an age where perhaps I need to.”