Chelsea CAN sell tickets for Champions League clash with Real Madrid and FA Cup semi as government relaxes licence rules
CHELSEA can sell tickets again after having their special license altered by the UK government.
The Blues had been banned from flogging tickets to fans since Roman Abramovich had his assets frozen earlier this month.
This resulted in just 600 away season ticket holders being able to attend their FA Cup clash at Middlesbrough last weekend.
But that situation has now been rectified – meaning that the Blues will not have to play their Champions League quarter-final home leg against Real Madrid behind closed doors.
They will now also be able to have Chelsea fans in attendance at the FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace at Wembley next month – as well as for their remaining Premier League games.
Chelsea Women will now also be able to sell tickets, with their next home match in the WSL scheduled for April 3.
Read More Chelsea Stories
Money generated from ticket sales will go directly to the Premier League, who will decide where to pass the revenue on.
Commenting on the decision, sports minister Nigel Hiddleston said: “I would like to thank fans for their patience while we have engaged with the football authorities to make this possible.
“Since Roman Abramovich was added to the UK’s sanctions list for his links to Vladimir Putin we have worked extensively to ensure the club can continue to play football while ensuring the sanctions regime continues to be enforced.”
Chelsea next host Brentford in the Premier League on April 2.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Bidders for the West London club had until last Friday to submit their offers to the Raine Group overseeing the sale.
Prospective buyers currently face an anxious wait to see if they have made the final shortlist of buyers.
More than 20 bids are understood to have been lodged.
Among the frontrunners are believed to be the Ricketts family, Todd Boehly, Sir Martin Broughton and Nick Candy.