Chelsea have withdrawn their request to have their FA Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough played behind closed doors.
The Blues announced earlier today – to much derision – that they had asked for Saturday's game at the Riverside Stadium to take place without supporters "for matters of sporting integrity".
That decision was taken after Chelsea were unable to sell tickets for the game following discussions with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, which did not make "appropriate amendments" to the Government licence granted to the club after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned last week.
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Middlesbrough later described Chelsea’s attempt to play the match in an empty stadium as bizarre and without merit while chairman Steve Gibson went further: "Chelsea and sporting integrity do not belong in the same sentence.
“Where is the intellect of Bruce Buck, the chairman of Chelsea, who has been an apologist for his owner, where the trophies won over 19 years have come from the corrupt money provided by Abramovich?
"Where is the intellect of the chairman of Chelsea when it comes to playing his games at home in front of his season ticket holders? Does he want to play all his away games at empty stadiums?"
The Chelsea Supporters Trust also called on the club to reverse their decision, stating that it "does not benefit" any fans, including those of Middlesbrough.
And a statement released by the FA this evening read: "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 Chelsea fans to attend games and away fans to attend Stamford Bridge, whilst ensuring sanctions are respected."
There are expected to be around 500 Chelsea supporters at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday. They are season ticket holders who purchased their seats prior to the government's decision to sanction Abramovich.
