REECE JAMES faces a ban for tunnel rage after a match that he wasn’t even playing in.
The Chelsea captain is accused of verbally abusing one of the officials in the aftermath of Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa.
Chelsea were furious after their latest Stamford Bridge setback.
James, 23, was charged with using “improper and/or insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official after the game”.
While it is unclear who was on the receiving end of James’ blast, referee Jarred Gillett came under fire from Blues fans for upgrading the initial yellow card he issued to Malo Gusto for a foul on Lucas Digne to red after a VAR intervention.
And following the FA’s pre-season promises of a clampdown on dissent by players and coaches, James looks likely to cop a suspension for an incident in a match he did NOT play in.
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Chelsea captain James has not featured for Mauricio Pochettino’s side since the opening weekend draw with Liverpool when he was forced off with a hamstring injury.
But while he was in the stands on Sunday, his behaviour has led to the charge that seems certain to result in a ban of at least one game if it is proven.
The charge comes under the category of “incidents outside the jurisdiction of match officials” as James was not an active participant in the game.
One example in the FA disciplinary guide that can bring a charge is “an individual committing an act of misconduct after the match has ended and the referee has left the pitch”.
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Only last week, ahead of the Villa game, James had made an upbeat social media post, promising to be back “soon”.
That comeback is now likely to be pushed back.
James has until Friday to respond and under FA regulations a hearing will be held by October 18 although it could be earlier if he pleads guilty and asks for a swift decision.
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