Chelsea’s captain, Reece James, has been slapped with a one-match suspension and a £90,000 fine by the Football Association (FA) for directing “abusive words” at a match official following Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa. The incident, a breach of FA Rule E3, took place in the tunnel after the Premier League clash last month. Despite James being sidelined due to injury for the Villa match, he confronted the official post-game, resulting in the disciplinary action.
The FA’s statement outlines the charges, stating, “Reece James has been given a one-game suspension and £90,000 fine for breaching FA Rule E3 at Chelsea’s Premier League match against Aston Villa on Sunday 24 September.” The defender admitted to using “improper, insulting, and abusive words and behavior towards a match official,” leading to the sanctions imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission.
With James still recovering from a hamstring injury, the suspension will see him miss Chelsea’s next league game against Burnley. The incident underscores the FA’s commitment to maintaining discipline and respect within the sport, even as Chelsea navigates challenges on and off the field.
