The government have amended the terms of Chelsea’s special operating licence
Chelsea fans will now be able to purchase tickets for their side’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid and the FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace.
According to terms of the licence issued to the Premier League club by the government in the wake of Roman Abramovich being hit with sanctions, only season ticket holders and those already in possession of tickets for home games would be able to attend matches at Stamford Bridge.
This meant the club faced playing the home leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Real behind closed doors, with their supporters also missing out on the game with Palace at Wembley next month.
What the amendments mean for Chelsea fans
The government have now amended the licence, meaning all future cup games – including the Madrid and Palace games – can be played before a full house.
According to the Telegraph, this does not extend to league games, where a ban on non-season-ticket sales remains in place while the club awaits a sale.
“The Premier League will receive and hold any revenue from the sale of these tickets that would normally have gone to Chelsea,” a Premier League spokesperson said.
“Chelsea FC have requested and the Premier League agreed that this revenue will be donated to charity to benefit victims of the war in Ukraine. The beneficiary charities will be announced in due course after consultation with the club.”
League game ban still in place
The ban on Chelsea fans attending home league fixtures may not, however, be an issue.
Chelsea’s next league home game will be against Brentford but was sold out before sanctions were imposed on Abramovich. This means the first reduced capacity game will likely be the game against Arsenal on April 20.
Should a takeover have been finalised by then, the game will almost certainly be played before a full capacity crowd.
Related links:
- Ricketts family issue response to Chelsea fans following backlash over bid to buy club
- Roman Abramovich ‘enters talks to buy new club’ while trying to sell Chelsea
- FA in talks with government over Chelsea fans attending FA Cup semi-final
