Middlesbrough: ‘Chelsea proposal bizarre, unfair and lacks any foundation’ | Football

sport">This has everything to do with sanctions indirectly imposed on the London club recently, when the British government froze the assets of club owner Roman Abramovich in the country. That also means that it is not allowed to sell individual tickets and since the away matches in cup matches are not included in the regular season tickets, the club has made this request.

sport">It is extra striking that this happens before a game in Riverside Stadium, home of the number eight in the Championship. It is therefore questionable whether the FA will agree to this. Chelsea believes, however, that the sporting integrity of the match will be compromised if there are Middlesbrough fans but no Chelsea supporters present next Saturday. Chelsea recognize that this will have a huge impact on Middlesbrough and the club’s supporters, as well as our own fans who have already bought tickets before the restrictions were imposed, but we believe it is the fairest way to handle the game under the current circumstances.”

Completely unfounded

sport">Host Middlesbrough FC has nothing good to say about Chelsea’s request. That is called on the club site “bizarre” and “completely unfounded” because everyone knows why sanctions have been imposed against Chelsea and because Middlesbrough has nothing to do with them.

sport">“Proposing that Middlesbrough FC and our fans should be punished is not only grossly unfair but also lacks any foundation,” Middlesbrough said. The club finds it a travesty that Chelsea cites “sporting integrity” to play football behind closed doors on Saturday.

No excuses

sport">Before Chelsea play against Middlesbrough next weekend, wait Wednesday in the Champions League Lille OSC. The Londoners are in a good starting position due to the 2-0 win at home, but it remains to be seen what influence the unrest surrounding the club will have on the team.

sport">In any case, Chelsea travels differently than usual for a European away game. “There are restrictions and we have to deal with that,” says trainer Thomas Tuchel. “We have had to make adjustments, in terms of the number of staff members that come along, how many hotel rooms we reserve and how we have to get somewhere for a game. That has worked as far as I know. We can travel at a professional level, because it’s not about luxury and bling-bling for a while.”

sport">Tuchel emphasized that there is no reason to apologize for the trip to and the match in Lille. “As long as we have shirts, are spry, arrive with our players and act as a team, we will fight for success and hard, because we owe that to the people who support us.”

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