Hoddle backed in support for Shearer by managers association

LONDON, May 13 (AFP)

John Barnwell the League Managers Association boss said Wednesday that England coach Glenn Hoddle was right to back Alan Shearer and questioned the wisdom of trial by television. The Newcastle striker and England skipper was found not guilty by a Football Association disciplinary commission in Sheffield over allegations he had deliberately kicked Leicester midfielder Neil Lennon in the face. The FA had brought the charge on the basis of video evidence. Shearer is now free to concentrate on Uniteds FA Cup final with Arsenal this Saturday and this summers World Cup finals. Barnwell explained: "Any manager worth his salt would fight for his player if he felt there was an injustice. Glenn obviously felt there was, so he was quite in order to fight Shearers corner. To what degree it had an effect is hard to say." "But under the circumstances, and if I had been in Glenns position, I would have brought as much pressure to bear as I could."  Glenn clearly believed it was in his interests to have had the situation resolved as quickly as possible, so I can understand him doing what he did."  Barnwell also believes the referees decision needs to be final, otherwise the FA disciplinary committee will end up with a backlog of cases. "I think we need to look at the situation and say are these procedures correct and should video evidence be brought in."   Youve got a referee, a linesman, a fourth official and an assessor in the stand. They are all highly qualified people, yet none of them brought a complaint. "It was brought by the intrusion of television and therefore everybody has got an opinion, not least because it involved a high-profile person." It again comes back to video evidence. Where does it begin and end? If we continue, the courts will be full. "