CHELSEA are demanding their FA Cup clash away at Middlesbrough is played behind-closed-doors due to their current sanctions.
The Blues have been banned from selling tickets after owner Roman Abramovich had his assets frozen by the UK government.
Blues chiefs had pleaded with the government to let them have some some fans at the game.
But the club has now announced they were rebuffed in their efforts meaning Thomas Tuchel‘s team will have little support in the last eight clash.
There will be a small handful of Chelsea fans at the Riverside having sold a first-phase of tickets prior to Abramovich being sanctioned.
A club statement from Chelsea read: “We are disappointed to announce we will not be able to sell tickets for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough.
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“Despite engaging in extensive discussions with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), the deadline to purchase away tickets has passed without appropriate amendments being made to the Government licence which would allow a full allocation of Chelsea supporters to attend.
“Executives at Middlesbrough had been kind enough to extend their deadline for ticket sales and stadium allocation from 7.30pm last night until 9.30am this morning.”
Chelsea did not attempt to hide their anger and frustration as the club added: “It is vitally 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.
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“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.
“We will continue to discuss the issue of ticket sales with OFSI as there a number of fixtures still to be played this season and we hope to reach a resolution.”
SunSport understands the FA will reject Chelsea’s request, with the West London outfit to have around 500-600 supporters in attendance.
Tuchel recently revealed how Chelsea cannot fly to Boro with the club to face a ten-hour round trip coach journey.
He said: “We want to find solutions, we want to play the match on Saturday as much as we want to play in the Champions League.
“We have a framework to play in Lille with no excuses. It is difficult to arrange things in the best way possible for the FA Cup, but we will deal with it.
“It isn’t about luxury and bling-bling. This is just a pro level of sports, where we play with two days between matches with our opponent having four days between matches and we arrive with the possibilities of injuries.
“For that, it is better to arrive with a plan rather than a bus.”
German star Kai Havertz meanwhile has declared he would happily pay out of his own pocket to travel to Teesside this weekend.
He remarked: “I would pay, no problem. That’s not a big deal for us. To come to the games is the most important.
“There are harder moments in the world, than [worry about] taking the plane or bus to away games.”
