Chelsea made plea for 'sporting integrity,' despite oligarch owner being sanctioned after Russia's invasion of Ukraine

By Ben Church, CNN

Updated 1753 GMT (0153 HKT) March 15, 2022

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(CNN)It's a request that was described as «ironic in the extreme.»

Despite Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich being sanctioned by the UK government for hisclose ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine, the club had called for its FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors for «matters of sporting integrity.» Abramovich's sanctioning means Chelsea is unable to sell any more away tickets for Saturday's match due to the restrictions on the club.«Chelsea FC recognizes that such an outcome would have a huge impact on Middlesbrough and its supporters, as well as our own fans who have