Ray row has Pards fuming
BLACKBURN v NEWCASTLE Kick-off 8pm
ALAN PARDEW has hit out at TV anchorman Ray Stubbs for his part in the FA rap that could see Yohan Cabaye ruled out for up to four games.
Newcastle have appealed after their French midfielder was hit with a violent conduct charge for clashing with Brighton’s Adam El-abd during the Geordies’ 1-0 FA Cup defeat.
Pardew reckons the incident – missed by referee Lee Probert – was blown out of proportion by ESPN’S coverage, with the Newcastle boss claiming veteran EX-BBC broadcaster Stubbs made too much of the second-half flashpoint.
The St James’ Park boss blasted: “I’m livid. Someone mentioned the TV coverage to me and Ray Stubbs was so ferocious about it.
“I’m not talking out of turn because I’ve rung to tell him my feelings. He apologised. I make no bones about using his name because I think he was honourable enough to say maybe he was wrong.
“His job is a presenter. He asks questions.
“When professionals who are on that show both say, ‘it wasn’t a foul’, I don’t see why the debate has to carry on. He’s not the expert, is he?”
Cabaye discovers the result of his appeal today so could miss the trip to Ewood Park.
Toon’s Senegal duo of 15-goal top scorer Demba Ba and £10million new signing Papiss Cisse are out as they are not due back from African Cup of Nations duty until tomorrow.