Pardew charged with misconduct

ALAN PARDEW has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for pushing an assistant referee. The Newcastle manager will not contest the charge but he is likely to request a personal hearing when an independent disciplinary commission convenes to consider the case.

Pardew was sent to the stands by the referee Martin Atkinson after shoving Peter Kirkup after a disputed throw-in during his side’s 2-1 home win against Tottenham on Saturday.

The Newcastle manager, who is facing a touchline ban plus a fine, has until 4pm on Thursday to respond. After the final whistle he apologised unreservedly and vowed to “take my punishment”.

This has been noted by the FA and it is understood that the evident sincerity of Pardew’s contrition may persuade the disciplinary commission to impose lighter sanctions than might have been the case.

Two years ago Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, was suspended from the touchline for one game and fined €10,000 after his part in a broadly comparable altercation, when he laid hands on the fourth official during a draw at Sunderland.

Daniel Agger will miss Liverpool’s home game against the champions, Manchester City, on Sunday after the club decided not to appeal against his red card against West Bromwich Albion.

The Denmark international was sent off for a professional foul on Shane Long during the 3-0 defeat at The Hawthorns and his manager, Brendan Rodgers, said afterwards that Liverpool would look to overturn the referee Phil Dowd’s “very, very harsh” decision.

Following further review of the incident, however, Liverpool decided against an appeal to the Football Association. Agger could have received an additional one-match ban for a frivolous appeal.

One piece of positive defensive news for Rodgers yesterday was confirmation that Martin Skrtel has signed a long-term contract extension. Skrtel had been in talks with Liverpool for several months, fuelling speculation over his future at Anfield.