CHELSEA have backtracked on their request for their FA Cup match against Middlesbrought o be played behind closed doors.

The London side caused uproar on Tuesday when it asked the FA for the match to be played behind closed doors for matters of "sporting integrity" - but acknowledged the huge impact that would have on Boro and its supporters. 

However, Boro hit out at Chelsea’s request to get Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final at the Riverside played behind closed doors, labelling it “bizarre and without any merit whatsoever”.

But Chelsea's controversial request has now been dropped , with the game still due to take place at he Riverside Stadium on Saturday in front of a sell-out home crowd.

A statement from the FA 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, whilst ensuring sanctions are respected.

Read more: 'Shut up': Piers Morgan responds to Chelsea's request to hold FA Cup tie with Boro behind closed doors

 

Responding to the earlier request Middlesbrough hit back, saying: “In response to the statement, Middlesbrough Football Club said: “We are aware of Chelsea's request to have Saturday's Emirates FA Cup sixth round tie played behind closed doors and find their suggestion both bizarre and without any merit whatsoever.

"All concerned are well aware of the reasons Chelsea have been sanctioned and that this has nothing to do with Middlesbrough Football Club.

"To suggest as result that MFC and our fans should be penalised is not only grossly unfair but without any foundation.

"Given the reasons for these sanctions, for Chelsea to seek to invoke sporting 'integrity' as reason for the game being played behind closed doors is ironic in the extreme.”

The Northern Echo: Boro chairman, Steve GibsonBoro chairman, Steve Gibson

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson, citing the plethora of trophies won during Abramovich’s 19-year reign, told The Athletic: “Chelsea and sporting integrity do not belong in the same sentence.

“Where is the intellect of the chairman of Chelsea (Bruce Buck) when it comes to playing his games at home in front of his season ticket holders? Does he want to play all his away games at empty stadiums?”

Chelsea said in their statement that Boro had been “kind enough” to extend their deadline for ticket sales until Tuesday morning, but Gibson’s patience has now seemingly run out.

“We’re not going to try and help them any more,” he added.

Chelsea has lobbied the Government hard over relaxations to the strict operating licence put in place after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by Downing Street.

Abramovich must not profit in the UK under the Government sanctions, and Chelsea are blocked from selling new tickets in the terms of their new licence.

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