Pardew charged over pushing official
Alan Pardew, right, is facing a misconduct charge
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for pushing an assistant referee.
Pardew shoved the official during his side's Barclays Premier League win over Tottenham on Saturday.
The Magpies boss apologised unreservedly after the match but it has not prevented the FA acting and he now has until 4pm on Thursday to respond to the charge.
Given Pardew's comments after the match, it seems unlikely he will contest it.
He said: "It was ridiculous and I apologised publicly. He was right in front of me and I thought the ball was out and I shoved him.
"I went to see him and told him it was stupid and I don't know what I was thinking."
Pardew reacted angrily having thought the official had missed a throw-in for his side moments before Spurs shot narrowly wide.
The incident was missed by referee Martin Atkinson but it was immediately brought to his attention by fourth official Lee Mason.
Pardew was ordered to watch the final 20 minutes of the match at Sports Direct Arena from the stands.
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Let's put this into perspective. Di Canio got a 12 match ban for shoving a ref to the ground. Any player in parks football who assaults an official can face a ban of a season, or maybe even a lifetime ban.
Just because Pardew is a manager doesn't make him any less guilty. The FA need to hammer him for what he did.
For the record, as an ex-ref who was assaulted on the field of play, I have no axe to grind with NUFC, I just want to stand up for match officials. After all, football needs us and fools like Pardew need to be punished properly!
