Chelsea end push for Cup fan ban amid government and Middlesbrough fury

Chelsea have withdrawn their request for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors after causing exasperation and disbelief in Downing Street with their desperate push for permission to sell tickets.

There was widespread incredulity after the European champions, blocked from taking up their full allocation of 4,500 tickets at the Riverside Stadium, claimed that staging the game in an empty stadium would protect sporting integrity. Middlesbrough said the suggestion was “bizarre and without any merit” and it drew a furious response from the government, who accused Chelsea of blurring their priorities with the club up for sale and Friday’s deadline for bidders to submit proposals drawing closer.

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The move was set to be rejected by the Football Association, which announced: “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.”

Chelsea made their request were being frustrated in attempts to make further amendments to the operating licence they are under as a result of the sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich. The club have sold 500 tickets for Saturday’s game but the licence prohibits further sales and is intended to stop Abramovich from profiting from any income.

Chelsea’s view is that the ban on ticket sales will lead to financial