Charlton AthleticSport

Nathan Jones names Wigan player who he felt should have been booked instead of him during Valley draw

Charlton boss Nathan Jones reckons Wigan winger Jonny Smith should have been pulled up for diving during Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at The Valley.

The Addicks manager was himself booked for his protestations after referee Lee Swabey awarded a free-kick against defender Macaulay Gillesphey for a challenge on Smith in front of the dugouts.

The incident came moments after Charlie Kelman had hauled Wigan level at 1-1 just beyond the hour-mark.

When asked what his yellow card was for, Jones explained: “I think it’s an absolute disgrace. Their boy, and I’ll name him – Jonny Smith – no touch, they fall over and the referee gives it. It’s an absolute disgrace that people get away with that.

“It’s frustration. It would anger me as a player that someone would do that. It would anger me. And it angered me as a manager so I showed my frustration and I get booked because you can’t show your frustration.

“Book him for diving. It’s cheating. It’s wrong. There’s no contact but nowadays you’ve got to give it because you don’t want the controversy. So, I got booked for frustration.”

PHOTO: PAUL EDWARDS

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