Alan Pardew Issued £100,000 Fine and Charged by FA for Headbutt

Updates from Monday, March 3

Newcastle announced Alan Pardew's charges by the FA:

Rob Harris of The Associated Press previously provided a statement from Humberside Police discussing Pardew's incident:

Original Text

Alan Pardew has been fined £100,000 by Newcastle following his altercation with Hull City's David Meyler on Saturday. The club confirmed the fine and that Pardew has been issued a formal warning:

The club's official statement read in part:

"

Newcastle United are disappointed with the actions of its manager Alan Pardew this afternoon (Saturday, 1st March).

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.

"

Sky Sports News later followed with additional insight surrounding the punishment:

Although Newcastle won the match 4-1, the only thing people are talking about is Pardew's "headbutt" on Meyler. There's no doubt that Pardew led with his head, but the contact was rather minimal. It was very similar to the comical incident between Albert Streit and Norbert Meier in 2005, only Meyler and Pardew didn't crumple to the pitch like they'd been shot.

What also can't be missed is that Pardew was shoved in the technical area by Meyler as he ran after the ball.

The Newcastle manager no doubt has few fans, and this is an opportunity for his critics to pile on. James Maw of FourFourTwo, for one, thinks that the entire situation has been blown out of proportion:

However, there's no question that what Pardew did was completely out of line, as Dan Walker tweeted out:

As a manager, you're expected to keep a cool head—no pun intended—and remain above the fray. You can't engage players from the other team, no matter what they've done to provoke you.

Making matters worse, Pardew has made a reputation for himself when it comes to his touchline behavior. He hurled expletives at Manuel Pellegrini earlier in the season, shoved an assistant referee in 2012 and upset Arsene Wenger with his exuberant celebrations following a goal during his time at West Ham.

Although Newcastle said they'd be making no more comments, this certainly isn't the last you've heard of this incident. Pardew will likely be punished by The Football Association. And who knows whether this makes his position at St. James' Park any more untenable than it already is?

Only time will tell if this is the beginning of the end for Pardew's reign at the club.