Chelsea have requested their FA Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough this weekend against Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors.
The Blues have an ongoing ban over selling matchday tickets in the wake of Roman Abramovich’s sanction by the UK government over his links with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A statement from the club noted: “We are disappointed to announce we will not be able to sell tickets for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough.
“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 have asked to play their FA Cup quarterfinal at Middlesbrough behind closed doors ‘for matters of sporting integrity’ because they are not allowed to sell tickets to their fans. pic.twitter.com/HGDyXap44P
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 15, 2022
“Chelsea FC recognizes 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 license was imposed, but we believe this is the fairest way of proceeding in the current circumstances.”
Chelsea will be up against a Middlesbrough who beat Manchester United and Tottenham to reach this stage of the competition.
