SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is to check with Football League officials after his side’s penalty in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Colchester.

The Shrimpers were awarded a spot-kick against the U’s when a visiting defender was penalised for holding Luke Prosser inside the area when dealing with a set piece.

And Brown now wants to find out if that method of defending, which was seen regularly at the World Cup, has now been outlawed.

“It was a bear hug from their defender really, but we need to know if this type of decision is a directive from the Football League,” said Brown.

“If it is, then I want to be in on it and it’s something I will be asking at the meeting we all have at the start of the season.

“It’s important we understand if that foreign-style of marking at set pieces is not acceptable anymore because if it isn’t then there will be penalties in every game.”