MADRID, 23 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Chelsea will be allowed to sell tickets to its men’s and women’s first-team home games after the UK government on Wednesday amended the club’s special license, saying proceeds will go to the Premier League and to charity.
The London club have been unable to sell tickets at Stamford Bridge since its owner, Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich, was sanctioned by the British government as part of its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Under the license change, proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to the Premier League and will then be distributed accordingly. This measure allows Chelsea to sell tickets for the quarterfinals of the Champions League, a tie that faces Real Madrid and -a priori- was going to play without an audience.
British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston thanked Chelsea fans for “their patience” during this process. “We were committed to the soccer authorities so that this was not possible,” he told the media.
“Since Roman Abramovich was added to the UK sanctions list for his links to (Russian President) Vladimir Putin, we have worked hard to ensure the club can continue to play football and to ensure the sanctions regime continues to apply. “, he added.