The Sky Sports article is well wide of the mark, and Pardew could have been handed a five-match stadium ban and a bigger fine for his headbutt on Hull City midfielder David Meyler.
The independent regulatory commission Pardew appeared before on March 11 released the written reasons for its decision today, and revealed that its punishment might have been more severe.
Pardew was ultimately handed a three-match stadium ban and four more from the touchline, as well as a £60,000 fine.
But the commission said: “In considering the sanction to be imposed, the commission considered initially a five-match stadium ban and a higher fine.
“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 and thus ordered as follows: Mr Pardew be warned as to his future conduct; be suspended immediately until such time as Newcastle United FC has completed seven first team matches.
"The first three matches imposed are a stadium ban with the remaining four a touchline ban from first team fixtures; Mr Pardew is fined the sum of £60,000.
“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.”