Reece James slammed with a charge by the English FA

Chelsea's captain, Reece James, has been charged the English Football Association (FA) following his alleged confrontation with an official after his team's 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

Despite being sidelined due to injury, the 23-year-old full-back reportedly engaged in a heated exchange with the official in the tunnel post-match.

The FA has subsequently charged him for allegedly using "improper and/or insulting and/or abusive words" toward the official. Although Reece James was not part of the Chelsea squad that suffered defeat to Villa, he attended the match and took it upon himself to address the official, potentially facing a suspension as a consequence.

As he seeks a swift recovery from his hamstring injury sustained in the opening Premier League match against Liverpool, his immediate concern now involves responding to the FA's charges before any disciplinary action is determined.

The statement read, "Reece James has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 following Chelsea’s Premier League game against Aston Villa on Sunday, 24 September. 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. Reece James has until Friday, 29 September, to provide a response to this charge."