Alan Pardew Banned 2 Games Over Shove

After Alan Pardew shoved assistant referee Peter Kirkup on the sidelines during Newcastle United's 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur at the beginning of the season, there was no doubt that serious punishment would be handed out. The manager, who began apologising immediately over losing his cool, was sent to the stands and subsequently charged by the FA.

Happily, the 51-year-old didn't contest the charges, accepting responsibility for the incident, and has now been banned for two games and fined 20,000. The suspension will take place immediately, meaning that Pardew won't be on the sidelines for the Magpies' match against Everton at Goodison Park as well as their home game against Norwich City. The fine isn't quite as substantial as one might have liked for going after a match official when disputing a call (a throw-in call, of all things), but it's a decent suspension and, for once, nobody is debating whether or not the FA did the right thing.