CHELSEA issued a humiliating U-turn by removing their request for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors.
As part of their ongoing sanctions, the Blues were banned from selling any more away tickets for the Riverside on Saturday evening.
Thomas Tuchel will have limited support at Middlesbrough on Saturday Credit: PA Blues chiefs had pleaded with the government to let them have some supporters on Teesside.
Once that request was rebuffed they instead audaciously demanded the match go ahead without fans “for matters of sporting integrity”.
However, the FA confirmed Chelsea have now agreed to withdraw their outrageous appeal.
A statement 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.
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Rachael Blackmore triumphs in Champion Hurdle but suffers horror fall “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 retweeted the message and added: “The FA has issued the following statement.
“We are grateful for the FA’s continuing efforts to help us find a solution.”
Furious Boro earlier insisted they will resist that suggestion “in the strongest terms” as they described Chelsea’s request as “bizarre” and “ironic in the extreme”.
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That is why Boro released a statement insisting that they will resist that suggestion “in the strongest terms”.
And talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan spoke to Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson, who believes “sporting integrity and Chelsea are words that don’t go together”.
Chelsea – who face a travel nightmare even getting to the game – had already sold between 500 and 600 tickets for the FA Cup clash before they were hit with the crippling restrictions.
The latest news came just minutes after Uefa reportedly confirmed the Champions League tie at Lille would go ahead tomorrow night.
The EU slapped additional sanctions on Blues owner Roman Abramovich on Tuesday.
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Middlesbrough are eyeing another big scalp after taking out Manchester United and Tottenham Credit: Getty Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
