TORY MP Julian Knight has claimed there is “no excuse” for not letting Chelsea fans attend their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
The Blues are scheduled to face London rivals Crystal Palace next month, but the stadium could only be half-full with just Palace fans.
The government has been urged to sell tickets to Chelsea fans for their FA Cup semi-final Credit: EPA Crippling sanctions placed on Russian owner Roman Abramovich mean the club are BANNED from selling tickets to games.
Chelsea are currently waiting to see if they will be allowed to sell tickets for the Palace match, with the final decision resting with the government as the sanctions imposed on Abramovich are from Downing Street.
But the idea of no Blues fans in the stands has been slammed as ‘ridiculous’ by Knight, Chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, and MP for Solihull.
He demanded for Boris Johnson’s government to allow Chelsea fans into the ground for the crunch tie.
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Chelsea ‘could face administration’, JT takeover BID, Nick Candy EXCLUSIVE In a meeting with the FA and the Premier League, Knight said: “It is ridiculous that we face the prospect of a half full Wembley for the Chelsea vs Palace FA cup semi-final.
“Chelsea is more than just its owner, it’s a living organism with huge importance to its fans and community.”
“It was understandable that, at short notice, last week’s game against Middlesbrough went ahead without Chelsea fans but, with this much notice, the FA have no excuse for excluding them.”
Knight instead suggested that all proceeds earned from selling tickets to Chelsea fans for the game are donated to Ukrainian victims of Russia’s invasion, ensuring no profits end up in Abramovich’s pocket.
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He concluded: “The FA must be allowed to sell tickets to Chelsea fans so long as all money goes to the people of Ukraine.”
SunSport understands a decision on Chelsea’s ticket allocation will be made during the international break.
Only 600 Chelsea fans were present for their quarter-final tie away at Middlesbrough on Saturday after the sanctions were placed upon them.
The remaining 3,200 tickets initially allocated to the Blues were returned and put on sale to Boro fans.
Thomas Tuchel’s side also face the prospect of playing their Champions League last-eight home tie against Real Madrid behind closed doors.
Season ticket holders are allowed to attend home games under the sanctions, but as European games aren’t included in their packages the crunch clash could be in an empty stadium.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
