Chelsea’s Reece James fined £90,000, banned for abusing match official

Chelsea captain, Reece James, has been fined £90,000 by the FA and banned for one game after using abusive words and behaviour towards a match official following the club’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in September 2023.

James, who was named Chelsea captain during the summer, has already missed eight matches after he suffered a hamstring injury in training in August.

The England defender has been in the stands ever since but during last month’s 1-0 home defeat to Aston Villa, he confronted the match officials in the tunnel at full-time.

The FA charged James and on Wednesday, October 4, confirmed the 23-year-old player will serve a one-game suspension for aiming improper/insulting or abusive words towards referee Jarred Gillet or one of his assistants.

That means James will miss the trip to Burnley, regardless of his current fitness status.

The FA, in a statement, said: “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 he used improper, insulting, and abusive words and behaviour towards a match official in the tunnel after the final whistle.

“An independent Regulatory Commission imposed these sanctions following a hearing, and its written reasons for them will be published at the earliest opportunity.”

Chelsea, in the match against Aston Villa, had Malo Gusto sent off after his booking for a challenge on Lucas Digne was upgraded to a red card following a VAR review.

On Monday, Marc Cucurella had to switch across to play in an unfamiliar right-back berth while Levi Colwill featured at left-back with Ben Chilwell set to be sidelined for at least two months with his own hamstring injury.

Chelsea are however hoping James will be fit to return to action in the home Premier League game against Arsenal on October 21.

The club will then host Brentford on Saturday, October 28.

The Star