The FA have decided that Chelsea’s FA Cup quarter-final tie with Middlesbrough will not be played behind closed doors.
The FA took the decision after constructive talks with Chelsea, adding that the Blues have now agreed to remove their initial request.
The English football’s governing body said this in a statement on Tuesday evening.
The statement read: “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, while ensuring sanctions are respected.”
Recall that Chelsea had requested that the FA Cup quarter-final tie against Middlesbrough be played behind closed doors following the sanction on the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich, by the United Kingdom government.
Recall that the UK government had last week sanctioned Abramovich following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Chelsea cited “sporting integrity” as their reason for asking the clash to be played behind closed doors.
