Chelsea captain Reece James has been banned for one game and fined £90,000 by the FA after using ‘improper, abusive and insulting’ words and behavior towards a match official following Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last month.
Despite not playing any part in that game due to a hamstring injury, James admitted approaching referee Jarred Gillett in the tunnel after the final whistle.
The 23-year old will now serve his ban for the weekend trip to Burnley, a match he was already due to miss through the same injury.
“Reece James has been given a one-match 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 that 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.” the FA statement read.
James is currently recovering from an hamstring injury he suffered in Chelsea’s opening league game- against Liverpool in August.
Chelsea hope he will make his comeback late this month when Chelsea battles Arsenal at the Stamford Bridge.
Marc Cucurella, a leftback, has been playing as Chelsea’s right-back in the last games after James’ deputy Malo Gusto got suspended when he received a straight red card in the Aston Villa game.
Chelsea currently sit 11th on the log with a paltry 8 points got from seven games.
