Rogue whistle put off Ipswich attacker at key moment – Charlton boss Ben Garner’s verdict

Charlton manager Ben Garner admitted that Ipswich attacker Tyreece John-Jules was probably put off by a whistle in the crowd during today’s 4-4 draw.

Referee Josh Smith halted play to speak to both managers with the noise twice occurring in the first half.

Matchday announcer Brian Cole warned that Smith would take the teams off the pitch if it happened again.

John-Jules was played through by Sam Morsy when the second incident of the fake whistle happened.

“The first one went in their favour because we stopped – they got a cross and got a corner,” said Garner.

“But the second one probably went in our favour because he was through on goal. I’ve never known that before.

“On both occasions I thought it was the referee. We all stopped for the first one.

“It was John-Jules who went through and it probably affected him, in all honesty. I don’t know where it was coming from and I’m glad it got sorted.

“Hopefully we never get that again.”

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna said: “No-one wants to see that. I’m sure Charlton aren’t happy with it as a football club either.

“Tyreece was running straight through on goal, that was the key one, one-v-one with the goalkeeper, the whistle blows – he hesitates and stops because he thinks it is a free-kick.

“I thought we had a clear penalty, a clear handball at the end of the first half which was a clear red card because he stuck his hand out to handle the ball. But I spoke to the referee at half-time and he said he didn’t have a clear view of it, so it is what it is.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS