Chelsea withdraw request for ‘no fans’ against Boro
Chelsea have agreed to withdraw their request for the FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough to be played without fans, the Football Association has announced.
An FA spokesperson said: “After constructive talks between the FA and Chelsea, the club has agreed to remove their request for the Emirates FA Cup quarter-final tie against Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors.
“The FA remains in ongoing discussions with Chelsea, the Premier League and the Government to find a solution that would enable both Chelsea fans to attend games and away fans to attend Stamford Bridge, whilst ensuring sanctions are respected.”
Chelsea had caused a storm when they wanted Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Boro played behind closed doors after Government officials blocked the Blues from selling tickets for the Riverside Stadium clash.
The Blues have lobbied the Government hard over relaxations to the strict operating licence put in place after Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by Downing Street.
And after talks with the Government failed to yield a softening of the stance over tickets, the Blues questioned
the FA Cup quarter-final’s sporting integrity should Chelsea fans be barred from attending.
However, Boro then hit back strongly and said they will contest the proposal.
The Middlesbrough statement
in full:
"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.
“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 result that MFC and our fans should be penalised is not only grossly unfair but without any foundation.
“Given the reasons for these sanctions, for Chelsea to seek to invoke sporting "integrity" as reason for the game being played behind closed doors is ironic in the extreme.
“We currently await formal notification from the FA of the next steps but rest assured MFC will resist Chelsea's actions in the strongest terms.”