Keith Hackett: Thierry Small faces FA action after 'unacceptable' Charlton incident
01/27/2025 12:41 PM
Thierry Small is likely to be contacted by the FA over how he celebrated his last minute winner for Charlton Athletic against Shrewsbury Town, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the left-back was lucky not to be punished for kicking the corner flag after striking late at The Valley on Saturday (25 January).
Small was involved in another controversy in midweek, having been stamped on by Jay Matete during the Addicks’ win at Bolton.
This time though, Hackett feels it is the Charlton man who could come in for scrutiny from the FA as a result of his celebration.
Charlton player’s celebration sensation could land him in trouble
With the score locked at 0-0 in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, Small stepped up to make himself the hero for Nathan Jones’ side.
As the ball broke inside the Shrewsbury area, Small was on hand to fire under goalkeeper Jamal Blackman and into the back of the net to snatch a dramatic win for Charlton.
In the dramatic celebrations that followed, the 20-year-old then ran to the corner of the pitch, and kicked the corner flag out of its position.
It was a celebration that then attracted attention online, due to the fact that as it travelled through the area, the flag was then caught one-handed by a spectator or staff member at the end of the stand.
But while that incident was seen as a source of amusement by many, Hackett has suggested the Charlton man could now be hearing from the FA about what happened.
Speaking to Football Insider about that celebration, the former referee said:
“What the player has done is unacceptable, he’s endagered 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.”
Following that dramatic late winner, Charton are now tenth in the League One table, two points adrift of the play-off places.
They are next in action on Tuesday night (28 January), when they host Bristol Rovers at The Valley.
In other news, a number of Scottish Premiership clubs are keen to sign a player currently on loan at Charlton.
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The post Keith Hackett: Thierry Small faces FA action after 'unacceptable' Charlton incident appeared first on Football Insider.
