OFFICIAL: Chelsea star Reece James facing ban for ‘abusing match official’

Chelsea star Reece James facing ban for ‘abusing match official in tunnel’

Reece James has been charged by The FA for “improper, insulting or abusive” behaviour towards a match official in the tunnel after Chelsea’s loss to Aston Villa on Sunday. Chelsea captain has until September 29 to respond.

The England full-back missed Sunday's game through injury and watched on as Chelsea's poor start to the season continued with a 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge.

The hosts had Malo Gusto sent off after his booking for a challenge on Lucas Digne was upgraded to a red card following a VAR review and James has now been charged with confronting referee Jarred Gillett.

'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,' the FA announced in a statement on Wednesday.

'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.'

As a result of the Villa loss, Chelsea sit 14th in the table and have won just one of their six Premier League games under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

James was given the captain's armband by Pochettino ahead of the new campaign but came off injured just 76 minutes into the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on the opening weekend.

He has not played since as he continues to struggle with the issue in which is the latest in what has been a string of problems.