FA issue warning to Newcastle boss Alan Pardew

Pardew made comments about the referee before the derby with Sunderland (PA)

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been "warned as to his future conduct" by the Football Association following his comments before the north east derby with Sunderland last month.

The Magpies boss was charged with improper conduct by the governing body for comments thought to relate to referee Howard Webb, who took charge of the August 20 Barclays Premier League clash.

Pardew denied the charge and requested a personal hearing, but "the case was found proven" by an FA regulatory commission, leading to a slap on the wrist.

It is believed the comments in question related to then Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton, who has since moved to QPR.

Prior to the Sunderland game - which Newcastle won 1-0 - Pardew was quoted in several newspapers as saying: "The referee needs to make sure he referees the game from a completely neutral point of view because Joey has been in the press a fair bit this week - more than Joey would have liked and more than I would like - and I'm sure he'll get a mention in Sunderland's game plan.

"He's a very, very good player and they'll need to stop him but I've got no qualms about throwing Joey in there, no doubts at all. But the referee will need to be astute."