London - Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew was given a two-match touchline ban and fined 20 000 pounds after accepting a Football Association charge of improper conduct.
Pardew shoved assistant referee Peter Kirkup while protesting against a decision during Newcastle's win over Tottenham Hotspur on the opening weekend of the season.
“We're overjoyed about the result but I hold my head in shame,” Pardew said after the game.
“I was just saying to the players (beforehand) about the great Olympics and how to set an example and there's me pushing the linesman over. It was comical, he just happened to be right in front of me.
“I went in and said I'm sorry (to the referees) and said I would have to apologise publicly too because it was ridiculous.”
Sapa-dpa