http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/alan-pardew-is-gone-if-we-lose-to-stoke-says-newcastle-united-owner-mike-ashley-but-then-claims-its-a-joke-9759060.html
Just read the article. He definitely wasn't joking like. Howay Stoke.
Oooh. Oooh. This is an interesting comment.
Just means he's been seen to be saying so had to back track and say "joke" he's definitely said it so us having to argue about context.