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Chelsea captain Reece James has been charged by the FA for an alleged incident in the tunnel after the Blues' Premier League defeat at home against Aston Villa on Saturday.
James was charged by the FA on Wednesday for breaching FA Rule E3. An FA statement read: “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.”
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It’s said that James took aim at referee Jarred Gillett and match officials in the tunnel after 10-man Chelsea were beaten 1-0 at home by Aston Villa. Chelsea full back Malo Gusto, who has enjoyed game time in the absence of James, was sent off following a VAR review that overturned the original yellow card shown by Gillett to red.
The Blues and England full back has played just once so far this season after picking up a hamstring injury on the opening day of the season against Liverpool.
A nightmare beginning to the season for James sees his recent injury woes continue after he only featured in 16 Premier League games last season.
Chelsea were beaten by a second-half Ollie Watkins goal and are now on a run of three Premier League games without scoring, with the previous two games against bottom half of the table sides Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
The result sees Mauricio Pochettino’s side fall to 14th place in the table after winning just one of their six league games under their new boss so far.
After the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta in the summer, James was named as club captain but it’s so far been an incredibly frustrating beginning to life with the armband for the England international, with Wednesday's charge to his name the latest knock in a miserable personal season so far.
Chelsea have a welcome break away from league action on Wednesday night as they host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup.
- Chelsea FC
- Aston Villa FC
- Premier League
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