Newcastle boss Pardew handed seven-match ban for headbutt

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has received a seven-match ban from the FA for his headbutt on Hull City’s David Meyler.

Three of the seven-game suspension preclude Pardew from even entering stadiums. A further four apply to the touchline.

Pardew has also been fined £60k and warned about his future conduct. He will only be able to take his place in St James’ Park dugout one more time this season – when the Magpies play relegation battlers Cardiff City (4/9 with Coral to go down) on May 3rd.

The ban means Pardew must miss an away trip to basement club Fulham (odds-on favourites 1/6 for the drop) and home games with Crystal Palace (13/8) and Everton. He must then watch the Toon at Southampton, against Manchester United, away to Stoke (20/1) and face Swansea (16/1) all from the stands.

In an official club statement, Newcastle say Pardew has accepted the punishment. He added: “As I have made clear, I deeply regret the incident and again wholeheartedly apologise to all parties for my conduct, which I understand was not acceptable.

“My focus now turns to preparing the team for this weekend’s game against Fulham and finishing the season as strongly as possible.”

Heavily odds-on for a top 10 finish at 1/50, the Magpies also face away trips to Arsenal and Liverpool during their run-in.

In other Newcastle news, Loic Remy has admitted he wants to play for a top European team. The French forward, who is the Toon’s top-scorer this term with 13 Premier League goals, also showed gratitude as the club stood by him during off-field allegations.

“One day I will be part of a European top-five club or a very big club,” Remy said. “I know what I can do.”

The 27-year-old is also desperate to make an impact with France, who are 22/1 shots with Coral to win the World Cup, in Brazil. “There is no choice, I have to go there,” Remy added. “I already missed Euro 2012 though injury and it was so difficult to swallow.”

Les Bleus are odds-on favourites to win at 8/11 and qualify from Group E at 1/5, which also contains Switzerland (9/4 and 4/7), Ecuador (9/2 and evens) and Honduras (25/1 and 11/2), come the tournament finals.