Charlton forward Jayden Stockley hits out at Sunderland boss Lee Johnson over headbutt claims

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Charlton striker Jayden Stockley has hit out at Lee Johnson for accusing him of headbutting Tom Flanagan last month.

The Addicks ended Sunderland’s 100 per cent home record as they ran out 1-0 winners during Johnnie Jackson’s first game as caretaker manager.

Stockley headed the only goal of the game during the second-half but was accused of striking Black Cats defender Flanagan with his head  in the first-period, with Johnson predicting that the authorities would look to take retrospective action against the Charlton man.

No such action has materialised and Stockley has suggested that Johnson, who has since seen his side lose twice more in the league and be dumped out of the FA Cup by League Two outfit Mansfield, was trying to create a distraction to take attention away from the defeat.

“I just think that sometimes comments like that can be used to cover up a result,” said Stockley when asked for his thoughts on the comments from Johnson.

“I don’t think it’s right that it gets put out there in the media. Other refs can be influenced. There was a game just after that, Rotherham the other night. When things like that get bandied around, other refs can have a preconceived idea of what sort of player I am.

“I think it should be monitored what gets put out there, especially as players you can’t say too much. I think there should be a bit of respect when words like that get bandied about.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS