Yohan Cabaye did the same to Newcastle last summer when he was wanted by Arsenal, and if the truth was known, he returned to France "for a rest" when Newcastle played Cardiff City in the FA Cup ... so he wouldn't be cup-tied!
Something that was kept out of the press (until now).
The Potters striker was handed a fine and means he will not be considered for Saturday's game at Crystal Palace.
Jones was missing from the matchday squad when Stoke were beaten 5-3 by the Reds at the Britannia Stadium in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.
It was subsequently reported that the 29-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international - rumoured to be a transfer target of Everton - had sent a text message to Hughes on the night before the contest to say he was unavailable for selection and, as a result, had been fined the equivalent of two weeks' wages.
Unlike Alan Pardew (who refused to say Cabaye had gone on strike until the Chronicle reported it), Hughes has come clean with the Stoke supporters.
Mark Hughes: "What was reported was what happened.
"I was disappointed and Kenwyne has been fined because it is not something that should happen.
"We spoke on Monday. He has been in this week training and we get on with it.
"He won't be involved this weekend, because maybe the events of last weekend are still in his mind.
"But moving forward, we'll have to wait and see."