Alan Pardew confident FA won't ban Jake Livermore

Livermore tried to confront a West Ham fan who suggested he used the death of his baby as an excuse for taking cocaine.

The FA asked Albion and West Ham for observations on the incident, but Pardew doesn't believe his midfielder will face any punishment.

Albion's boss says Livermore was 'hurt' by the incident, but will be ok to travel to Exeter City this weekend in the third round of the FA Cup.

Pardew has also called for more protection around the dug-outs for players and coaching staff in light of the altercation.

"I don’t think there will be a charge," said Pardew. "I think the FA and everybody else are understanding of the situation.

"We’ve left it in the hands of West Ham who I know very well. Hopefully they’ll deal with the situation."

Livermore was stopped by kit man Aidan Smyth before he managed to reach the supporter and was then taken down the tunnel.

The Baggies released a statement alongside Livermore yesterday confirming the fan had made a comment about the death of his son and the England international believed that to be the end of the 'unhappy incident'.

Livermore escaped a two-year ban in 2015 after testing positive for cocaine because the FA said the death of his baby was a mitigating factor.

"Anyone who's been through the trauma of losing a child would know the impact is massive," said Pardew. "I can’t possibly reflect on that. The incident was what it was.

"Jake is okay. I’ll take him to Exeter with no concern really about his playing ability.

"He’s fit and well. He was hurt by the situation as you’d imagine.

"The media have been very supportive of him. I think he’s found that a comfort. He’ll be okay, thank you for asking."

West Ham have identified the supporter in question and are expected to hand him a stadium ban. And Pardew wants more stewards around the dug-outs in future games.

"I'm not sure our society is becoming harsher, maybe the information is better about what situations players are in," said Pardew.

"I can remember going to Millwall and Wimbledon when I was a Crystal Palace player and remember things that were not particularly nice.

"I can remember a Barcelona game when a pig's head was thrown on the pitch.

"There are things that are orchestrated and some things come from rage - this situation came from rage from the supporter and that's worrying.

"The stewarding and policing of games is very good but particularly around the bench there needs to be more protection around that area.

"In general, on social media, I have two young daughters, when they were both at school, some of the abuse on social media is disgusting.

"It's an area that society has to look at, we're having problems with policing the internet, as we all know, stuff on there regarding radicalisation and terrorism that can't be removed for whatever reason. It is an issue."