Credit: Imago, Sky Sports

Oliver Walton

Mon 16 March 2026 13:15, UK

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Preston North End midfielder Jordan Thompson looks set to be charged with misconduct after kicking a bottle at Norwich City fans in frustration during their Championship clash.

Former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee Keith Hackett has told Football Insider that the Northern Ireland international could even face a ban if the relevant authorities take severe action.

Thompson fumed as he was substituted off in the 65th minute of Preston’s 2-0 defeat to Norwich at Carrow Road on Saturday.

His frustrations got the better of him as he kicked a water bottle in the direction of some Norwich fans, and one appeared to be hit on the head by the flying object.

The 29-year-old quickly apologised to the home supporters for his actions, but while the incident was not spotted by any officials, he could well be charged retrospectively.

Keith Hackett warns of a potential ban incoming for Jordan Thompson

There is precedence for such incidents, with a famous case from 2016 seeing then-Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho charged with improper conduct and given a one-match touchline ban by the FA for kicking a bottle in frustration.

Jhon Duran was hit with a £15,000 fine for a similar incident while playing for Aston Villa last January, but it remains to be seen how Thompson is reprimanded.

His prior disciplinary record is a relatively clean one, with five yellows and no reds so far this season, yet Hackett has told Football Insider that the Preston man may well be handed a ban because of how he kicked the bottle towards the home fans.

He said: “If this is picked up by the authorities, there is a strong possibility that he will be charged for misconduct.

“Managers doing similar things in the past have faced touchline bans.

“The fact that he kicked the bottle towards the fans, if picked up, will see a ban imposed.”

What are Preston’s chances of being relegated this season?

Preston suffered their fifth defeat in six games at Carrow Road on Saturday, and their early-season promotion hopes have now completely evaporated in the last few months.

They are sliding into a relegation battle as it stands, even after some strong winter business that saw Football Insider reveal that Andrew Moran was set to sign for Preston on loan from Brighton.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side are 10 points off the drop, but are still being backed to avoid relegation in 18th place, with Opta‘s supercomputer giving them a very slim 0.30 per cent chance of finishing in the bottom three this season.

They certainly need to start picking up results soon to make sure of their safety, but could well be without Thompson for the visit of his old club Stoke City this Friday.