Nathan Jones was left baffled by a goal controversially ruled out in Charlton’s 1-0 defeat to Leicester on Saturday afternoon.
The Charlton head coach said the referee’s disallowance of Lloyd Jones’ leveller in their 1-0 loss to Leicester as a “Hans Christian Andersen fairytale” and a “travesty,” claiming it was due to a foul despite his team’s dominance from set plays.
He praised Charlton’s performance, noting they created enough chances to win multiple games and were unlucky not to score, though Leicester showed superior quality.
Jones continued to express his pride and excitement for the season, and explained the tactical substitution of Miles Leaburn for Charlie Kelman, highlighting squad competition and Leaburn’s outstanding play.
The result leaves Leicester 7th with 6 points from 3 games played, while Charlton are 14th with 4 points.
Nathan Jones reflects on our loss against Leicester City 🗣️#cafc pic.twitter.com/6yaz4RRTdd
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) August 23, 2025
“I’ve knocked (on the referee’s door) twice.
“It is an absolute fairytale- Hans Christian Andersen.”
More quotes from Nathan Jones about Lloyd Jones’ disallowed goal – left bewildered how the centre-back’s headed finish was not allowed to stand.
📷 @kgtopsnapper… pic.twitter.com/4MMpue4Nhx
— Richard Cawley (@RichSCawley) August 23, 2025
Charlton also had a Lloyd Jones goal controversially ruled out, a decision that left the manager baffled.
Charlton said in their match report: Charlton thought they had their equaliser late on when Lloyd Jones powered in a header from a corner, but referee Whitestone ruled it out for a foul.
Leicester said on their website: Jones thought he’d equalised himself, heading in the resulting corner, until he realised a foul had already been given, much to the Addicks fans’ frustration.
Jones said, per the club website: “Sheer amazement, honestly. It’s a perfectly legitimate goal. But that’s the world we live in – someone throws themselves to the floor, and the decision goes against you. It’s incredibly frustrating.”
Speaking to BBC Radio London, Jones said: “It’s a one in a million strike to win the game for them but we had so many opportunities to have got something from the game and I think if we’d scored we’d have gone on to win the game.
“But that’s the lesson. It’s hard to be disappointed with the level of performance because if that was 5-1 it would probably have been a fair result.
“I thought we were totally dominant, it was just they demonstrated that ounce of quality that we didn’t and that’s why we’re sitting here with no points.
“We’ve created enough chances to win three games and then the disallowed goal is an absolute travesty, I don’t get it.
“I’m disappointed but I’m so proud because if that’s our level then I’m excited about what we can achieve this season.”
On the disallowed goal: “It’s a fairytale, a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, an absolute fairytale. We caused them so many problems from set plays and that was another one.
“They were released from jail by an individual that I just can’t comment on.”
Leicester City head coach Marti Cifuentes told BBC Sport England:
“It was a fantastic goal that summarises really clearly what Abdul means for us, extreme quality especially in the last third.
“We played against a team that was very aggressive in the high press, very physical, it can create some frustration because everything is happening around our box.
“For me today the most important thing is that we took a step forward in the identity and culture that I want to build at the club.
“I saw a team that, despite there is 100 things we can do better, and that’s on me, I saw a team that cared, that wanted to work hard for each other, we had to defend low and make a run with each other for it.
“And for me that’s the most important, that connection with the fans, the fans played their part, they were really strong throughout the game and that sets the foundation.
“It was far from perfect. But what we can learn from this one is stronger than just having a fantastic game and winning 4-0.”
On speculation linking Fatawu with a move away from the club: “It’s a lot of speculation around most of our players.
“That means they’re good players and we know that. There are rumours and speculation around them. The target is we arrive on 1 September in a good position with a team we want to have.
“There are some key players we want to keep, and Abdul is one of them.”
This is how fans reacted with Nathan Jones baffled by the goal controversially ruled out in Charlton’s defeat to Leicester…
@FilbertStBlues: Nathan Jones appears to be a bit of a knob
@lcfcbuck: He’s gonna cry in a minute
@shadowjazzy1: Shame the ref DIDN’T SPOT the defender holding Leaburn round the waist stopping him from moving when jones headed the ball – should have been a penalty not a disallowed goal/free kick to Leicester.
@Jackjharcourt: Never seen a manager so salty 🤣🤣🤣
@CameronCAFC: Shame the ref was a complete cnut, should’ve been a draw but deserved a win. To come away with nothing is infuriating
@freeCAFC: Spot on with these comments. Proud of the endevour today and if we turn up like that every week we will be okay this season. On to the next #cafc
@_nam11: 100% agree with NJ. We don’t feel sorry for ourselves, we go again next week. QPR will react. We play like we did today, every game, we will be more than safe. Up the Charlton. #cafc
@1ryanhilton: This is my only concern for this season based off the 3 games so far. Putting the ball in the net with chances we are creating. I have every confidence we can defend as good as anyone, but it’s that final third I think we lack that killer instinct for this league.
@sparky__26: Nathan jones is a bit salty isn’t he 🤣🤣 #LCFC #cafc
@saintlavoo: Nathan Jones is still deluded then… That interview. 😂 Thought they should’ve won the game 5-1.
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