‘Maybe Keith’s bored’ – Charlton boss Nathan Jones hits back at ex-referee over Small celebration claim

Charlton boss Nathan Jones says Keith Hackett should have bigger things to worry about rather than Thierry Small celebrating a last-minute winner.

Ex-PGMOL chief and former FIFA official Hackett told Football Insider that Small was fortunate not to be punished for kicking the corner flag after he scored in the 96th minute in Charlton’s 1-0 win over Shrewsbury last Saturday.

The corner flag was kicked out of position by Small in his celebrations but was caught in mid air.

Hacket said: “What the player has done is unacceptable, he’s endangered the safety of either the stewards or the fans, and therefore, he should have been punished, and should have had a minimum yellow card for that offence.

“It may well be that if that footage is available for the FA they may look at that, they may just review it, ask the referee for his observations.

“That might not result in a fine or suspension but it could result in a letter to the club and to the player.”

When asked about the comments by the South London Press, Jones said: “Listen, with the greatest respect, there’s a lot worse things going on in football, in the world, in south-east London that people should be worried about and commented in the news about Thierry Small over-celebrating and kicking a corner flag. 

“If he’s hit anyone we apologise to someone. 

“But if Keith Hackett wants to really look at anything that he wants to complain about, then tell him to have a look at the news.

 “There is knife crime, racial abuse, there’s wars going on all around the place, there’s certain people in certain areas doing certain things. That’s the least of the worries in society today. Well done, Keith.

 “Maybe Keith’s bored, you don’t know.”