Chelsea to play Champions League home fixtures behind closed doors
By Tom Gott
Chelsea have been told they will have to play any Champions League home games behind closed doors as part of the new European Union restrictions imposed on the club.
Already sanctioned by the UK government, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was added to the EU's list of individuals facing asset freezes on Tuesday.
The Blues were previously not permitted to sell tickets to domestic games as a result of the UK sanctions, but according to The Athletic, these latest European sanctions now bring their Champions League fixtures into question.
Tickets to European games are not permitted to be sold, meaning Chelsea will have to play their Champions League home games behind closed doors until a new owner is found.
UEFA have said that they “will work with the EU and relevant member states to ensure we have full clarity and remain in lockstep with all relevant and applicable measures.”
The Blues already have one foot in the quarter-finals of this season's competition as they head to Lille on Wednesday with a two-goal advantage from the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Should Chelsea progress, they face the possibility of playing any more home games without any fans inside Stamford Bridge.
The quarter-final has been earmarked for April 5/6, with the second leg to be held one week later, giving Chelsea under a month to either agree new terms of their restrictions or finalise a takeover.
After that, the semi-finals will begin on April 26, at which point Chelsea will hope to have finalised something to help them welcome fans to stadiums.