Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has called on the Football Association to bring further clarity to their disciplinary procedures after imposing a 10-game ban on Luis Suarez.
The Uruguay international was hit with the sanction after accepting a violent conduct charge for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic and will miss Liverpool's Barclays Premier League visit to St James' Park on Saturday evening as a result.
However, having seen Wigan striker Callum McManaman escape punishment for his horrific tackle on Magpies full-back Massadio Haidara because one of the match officials spotted it at the time but took no action, Pardew said: "There probably needs to be some sort of discussion or procedure put in place for us managers to know exactly where we stand with these disciplinary decisions and bring some clarity to it."
The Newcastle boss added:"They have still to answer, the FA, why that was and probably that would be interesting for all Premier League managers to know exactly why it's 10 games.
"It's difficult. It's an incident that everybody was shocked by and probably even Suarez shocked himself by doing it. But you have got young kids playing in the park and obviously we don't want to see that kind of action.
"Having said that, we feel that some of the fines we have taken at this football club are fair, but you do want to get a general feel of exactly why these decisions are made."
Liverpool's loss, of course, could prove to be Newcastle's gain this weekend as they head for Tyneside without their 30-goal hitman.
However, Pardew, whose side is still far from assured of top-flight football next season, will take nothing for granted. He said: "I don't know if it's helped, but he's a fantastic player and has had a marvellous season. It's unfortunate that events are going to probably scar his season because it has been outstanding.
"For us, he doesn't play and I suppose that is helpful, but I'm sure it will only enthuse Liverpool's players to show that they can play without him."
The Magpies are currently six points clear of the drop zone with just four games to play, but their two remaining home fixtures are tough with Champions League-chasing Arsenal due at St James' on the final day of the campaign.
Source: PA
