CHELSEA captain Reece James has been charged by the FA for abusing a match official after the defeat to Aston Villa.
The incident took place in the tunnel after the match and the defender has until Friday to respond to the charge.
Reece James has been charged by the FA for abusing a match officialRex
James played no part in the match as he is sidelined with a hamstring injury he picked up against Liverpool last month.
But that did not prevent him from allegedly confronting referee Jarred Gillett after the game to abuse him.
An FA 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 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 right-back now faces a possible ban, though he is not expected to be back from injury until late October.
James was appointed Chelsea captain by Mauricio Pochettino before the start of the new season.
The England international was delighted with the responsibility given to him but so far his influence has been limited.
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After being given the armband, James said: “I’m so happy to take on the role and responsibility.
“I know I’ve got big shoes to fill because we have had huge captains here in the past, but I am excited.
“I have been at Chelsea pretty much my whole life. I started here when I was six and to come through the Academy is tough.
“But to go on and become captain, it’s a great feeling for me and my family.”