English League Managers Association CEO Richard Bevan said that the association "is studying whether the positioning of football's technical area could be improved" in order to minimize incidents like the one in which EPL side Newcastle Manager Alan Pardew headbutted a Hull City player, according to Steve Tongue of REUTERS. The LMA believes that "there might be fewer verbal and physical altercations involving managers and coaching staff if they were not allowed so close to the pitch and the fourth official" (REUTERS, 3/2). Asked what form the changes could take, Bevan said, "I believe the one at Rotherham's ground (which is set back from the touch-line) is currently the best positioned. Some of our historical grounds may well create problems but a new position would not be embedded with the away fans. What we can do is make a serious effort and look at how the technical area should be designed and how it works in UEFA competition as well" (BBC, 3/2).
PARDEW FINED: In London, Alan O'Brien wrote Pardew has been fined £100,000 ($167,600) "and issued a formal warning from the club after being sent off for head-butting" Hull City midfielder David Meyler (INDEPENDENT, 3/2). The PA reported Pardew "will not face the sack over his head-butt." Newcastle Owner Mike Ashley "is understood to be furious with Pardew's conduct on the touchline" (PA, 3/2).
