Championship side Middlesbrough has vowed to resist Chelsea FC’s request of having their weekend FA Cup clash to be played without fans.
Boro has described a request by Chelsea as “bizarre and without any merit” as they seek to eliminate another Premier League side from the competition after sending Man United and Tottenham Hotspur home.
A statement from the club noted: “We are aware of Chelsea’s request to have Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup sixth round tie played behind closed doors and find their suggestion both bizarre and without any merit whatsoever.
🚨 Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson:
“I can’t believe it. Sporting integrity and Chelsea do not belong in the same sentence. For 19 years corrupt money has fuelled Chelsea’s success. This is pathetic by Chelsea.”
(Source: @TimesSport)
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“All concerned are well aware of the reasons Chelsea have been sanctioned and that this has nothing to do with Middlesbrough Football Club.
“To suggest as a result that MFC and our fans should be penalized is not only grossly unfair but without any foundation.”
The club finished the statement by stating that they were awaiting formal notification from the FA of the next steps but rest assured that they will resist Chelsea’s actions in the strongest terms.
