Chelsea’s blues worsen as James charged for abuse of match official – he wasn’t even playing

September 29 – Chelsea defender Reece James has been charged by the English FA for an alleged altercation with a match official which is said to have occurred after the club’s 1-0 loss against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

“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 said in a statement.

The England international and Chelsea captain did not play in the game at Stamford Bridge because of injury.

Instead he watched on as Chelsea defender Malo Gusto was sent off in the second half and Villa’s Ollie Watkins went on to score the only goal of the game.

Despite an eye-watering layout on players, Chelsea have endured their worst league start for 45 years with only one win in six league games under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.

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