By Chelsea asks for cup tie to be played behind closed doors
Chelsea have asked if their FA Cup game against Middlesborough can be played behind closed doors.
The Premiere League giants are due to play Middlesborough in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday 19 March, however, they are unable to sell new tickets after sanctions against the club owner were enforced.
Roman Abramovich, Chelsea Football Club’s owner has been impacted by sanctions issued by the UK government, in retaliation for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last month.
In a statement, Chelsea FC said:
“It is important for the competition that the match against Middlesbrough goes ahead, however, it is with extreme reluctance that we are asking the FA board to direct that the game be played behind closed doors for matters of sporting integrity.
“Chelsea FC recognises that such an outcome would have a huge impact on Middlesbrough and its supporters, as well as our own fans who have already bought the limited number of tickets that were sold before the licence was imposed, but we believe this is the fairest way of proceeding in the current circumstances”, the club added.
It is understood that Chelsea are in talks with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementations regarding ticket sales for the upcoming FA Cup clash.
According to Sky News, The Football Association are aware of Chelsea FC’s request and a solution will be discussed at the Professional Board meeting tomorrow.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddlestone has said the government may amend its licence to allow Chelsea to sell tickets.
Mr Huddlestone said the measures that have been adopted and the licence Chelsea have received will stop the club from going out of business.
“It is to allow Chelsea still to play, for staff to still be paid, to honour ticket sales already, and we are discussions with Chelsea and the fans to see if we can allow further ticket sales because we want the sanctions to hit those we intend to hit and not others”, he added.
“We are looking at options. But there will be consequences of sanctions. Roman Abramovich has links to Vladimir Putin, and let’s not forget this is because of in invasion of a sovereign nation where people are dying.
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