Alan Paedew could have been handed a five-match stadium ban and a bigger fine for his headbutt on Hull midfielder David Meyler.

The independent regulatory commission that locked the Newcastle boss out of the stadium for three games and banned him from the touchline for a further four gave its written reasons for its decision yesterday.

It said "the commission considered initially a five-match stadium ban and a higher fine" than the £60,000 imposed.

"But based on the mitigation presented together with the action taken by both the club and Mr Pardew the regulatory commission came to the conclusion that the appropriate sanction set out below was fair, reasonable and proportionate."

Pardew, who served the first game of his stadium ban at Fulham last Saturday, was accompanied by legal counsel, club secretary Lee Charnley and Richard Bevan, chief executive of the League Managers' Association, at the March 11 hearing.

He had admitted the charge and later revealed he was prepared to accept whatever penalty came his way.

In mitigation, the Magpies manager, who had already been fined £100,000 by his club, argued that he did not instigate the altercation with Meyler and meant no physical harm to the player, and had expressed his remorse.

He also signalled his intention to enrol on an executive leadership and management programme in an effort to address his behaviour.

The commission, which took into account previous offences, viewed video footage of the incident and considered written reports from match referee Kevin Friend, his assistant John Flynn and fourth official Howard Webb before reaching its conclusion.

It said: "The commission also considered the impact of this type of incident in football in general and could not escape from the fact that a vast number of people would have seen the incident on national and international television.

"Bluntly, Mr Pardew had little option but to admit the charge and to apologise accordingly.

"Mr Pardew is a high-profile and very experienced manager at a high-profile and well-respected club in a high-profile league and where matches are watched worldwide.

"This is, on any view, a serious incident which has to be sanctioned accordingly, but at the same time proportionately."