Chelsea behind closed doors

Downing Street’s suspension of Roman Abramovich has ended up affecting Real Madrid, which will meet Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals. The economic restrictions imposed by the British government prevent the London team from selling tickets for Stamford Bridge, which also does not have season ticket holders for the Champions League, so it would have to play behind closed doors.

the blue team he could only welcome his fans in his stadium in the event that they find a new owner before the match against Madrid. A complicated scenario, because the process of selling Chelsea is still underway: precisely today the deadline to make offers for the London team closes. In any case, on Tuesday the 22nd there will be a meeting between the clubs and UEFA in which it will be determined whether or not there is finally an audience.

Likewise, the possibility of UEFA selling Chelsea tickets for their home matches in the Champions League was explored, but this alternative was quickly discarded, again conditioned by the sanction against Abramovich. So that, only in the event that Chelsea reach the final, UEFA could sell tickets to its fans.

Nonetheless, Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea manager still hopes to have an audience in the stands. “I trust the board of directors, which is in dialogue with UEFA and with the government to find an exception or a logical exemption that allows a solution to be found so that the fans are in the stadium,” he explained at the press conference after the draw.

The German coach knows the importance of having the warmth of his fans, and that is why he has recognised: “It would be a disadvantage, but this game is for the spectators and the game changes with the spectators.. I’m sure everyone will help. These games, any game, is for the spectators and the game is different if the fans are on the pitch.”