The UK Government has amended the general licence granted to Chelsea by announcing the club will now be allowed to sell tickets to away games and cup matches.
The Blues were banned from selling tickets after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned for his links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
But the Government has now put in place special dispensation for away fans, cup games and women’s fixtures provided Chelsea do not receive any revenue.
Roman Abramovich was sanctioned for his links to Russian president Vladimir Putin (Adam Davy/PA)
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “The Government has today made alterations to the licence to Chelsea Football club so that fans will be able to access tickets to away matches, cup games and women’s fixtures.
“I would like to thank fans for their patience while we have engaged with the football authorities to make this possible.
“Since Roman Abramovich was added to the UK’s sanctions list for his links to Vladimir Putin we have worked extensively to ensure the club can continue to play football while ensuring the sanctions regime continues to be enforced.”
The amendment means Chelsea fans will be able to purchase tickets to future Premier League away fixtures, with revenue going to the home club.
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Chelsea will now be able to sell some tickets again (John Walton/PA)
Visiting fans will also be able to buy tickets for Chelsea’s remaining Premier League home fixtures, with the money going to the Premier League.
For future FA Cup and Champions League matches, fans will be able to purchase tickets with revenue collected by the relevant competition organiser or home club.
No further home tickets will be made available to fans at Chelsea’s remaining Premier League home fixtures, but season-ticket holders and holders of tickets purchased before the sanctions were imposed will still be able to attend.
The Government has made an exception for Women’s Super League fixtures to allow fans to purchase home as well as away tickets, due to the risk of the matches being played in front of empty stands.
Chelsea have asked for money from ticket sales to be donated to help war victims in Ukraine (Steven Paston/PA)
Chelsea have asked for the revenue generated by ticket sales, which would normally have gone to the club, to be donated to war victims in Ukraine.
A Premier League spokesperson said: “The revised licence allows fans to attend Chelsea FC games; Chelsea fans to travel to away Premier League fixtures and Chelsea fans to attend the FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and WSL games.
“The Premier League will receive and hold any revenue from the sale of these tickets that would normally have gone to Chelsea.
“Chelsea FC have requested and the Premier League agreed that this revenue will be donated to charity to benefit victims of the war in Ukraine.
“The beneficiary charities will be announced in due course after consultation with the club.”
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