Pardew cleared over spat
04 Jan 2007 - 16:46:31
Alan Pardew has been cleared of a charge of improper conduct by the Football Association relating to his ugly touchline spat with Arsene Wenger during his time as West Ham manager.
Pardew, who was sacked by the Hammers before Christmas and has since been appointed the new manager of Charlton Athletic, clashed with the Frenchman both verbally and physically after West Ham scored a late winner against the Gunners at Upton Park on November 5.
Both Pardew and Wenger were cited for their "aggressive and confrontational behaviour" in the aftermath of the incident.
But unlike Wenger, who was fined £10,000, severely censured and warned over his future conduct, Pardew has been cleared and is free to take his place in the dugout when Charlton travel to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup at the weekend.
The decision to clear Pardew is certain to annoy the Arsenal boss, who was unhappy with his treatment at the FA's Soho Square headquarters in December.
"I got fined severely," he said afterwards. "I'm not happy with it.
"I said I regret it and I was over-reacting, so I accept the fine."
