English FA Charges Reece James

Reece James didn’t make the Chelsea’s squad that lost to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, September 24 but has landed himself in trouble following an alleged illegal action after the game.

On the said date, Chelsea who are bedeviled by injuries involving a series of their first-team players including Reece James, lost 1-0 to Aston Villa to record their 3rd Premier League defeat of the season.

After the game, James, the captain of Chelsea, was allegedly involved in a fight in the tunnel which attracted the attention of the English FA.

The said altercation reportedly happened between Reece James and referee Jarred Gillett.

A statement from the English FA claimed that the 23-year-old English captain broke FA rule E3 and must defend himself before a disciplinary committee on or before September 29.

“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”, the FA statement read.

During the said game, Chelsea’s Malo Gusto of France was sent off for aggressive play in the 58th minute after referee Gillett was asked by the visual assistance referee (VAR) to check the pitchside monitor.

The referee initially gave Gusto a yellow card for tackling Villa defender Lucas Digne but then changed it to a red.

Ollie Watkins then scored the winning goal in the 73rd minute to hand Chelsea an unexpected home defeat at the hands of coach Unai Emery’s boys.

Chelsea have had their worst start to a season in eight years, sitting in 14th place in the Premier League with just five points after six games under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.