The Football Association has accused Chelsea captain Reece James of misconduct. It was for “insulting or abusive” comments used at a referee. The incident occurred following Sunday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa, in which James did not play due to injury.
A statement read: “Reece James has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 following Chelsea’s Premier League game against Aston Villa on Sunday, 24 September. It’s alleged that the defender used improper and/or insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official in the tunnel after the game. Reece James has until Friday, 29 September, to provide a response to this charge.”
The full-back was injured for his team’s 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but he approached an official in the tunnel after the game. The FA has decided to charge him for allegedly using “improper, insulting, and/or abusive words” against an official.
James, 23, did not play in Chelsea’s weekend loss to Aston Villa. The England international has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in his team’s season-opening Premier League match against Liverpool. He did, however, attend the game and took it upon himself to remonstrate with the official afterward, potentially resulting in a suspension.
The right-back will hope to heal soon from his injury, but he must first respond to the FA before a decision on a possible punishment is made. James is not anticipated to return from his injury until late October.
Chelsea play Brighton in the Carabao Cup tonight before travelling to Fulham for a Premier League game on Monday. Five days before the international break, a longer trip to Burnley awaits.
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