Russia president Vladimir Putin's intervention has ensured Chelsea's Champions League tie against Lille will be available to watch on TV within the country.
It comes after the Stamford Bridge outfit were plunged into a state of chaos after the UK government imposed sanctions on the club's owner Roman Abramovich which mean the Blues must operate on a reduced budget and are unable to buy or sell players, negotiate new contracts or sell any merchandise. The sanctions were imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine as Abramovich's ties to the Russian president came under the spotlight.
But the club have been accused of failing to "understand the seriousness of the situation they are in" after requesting their FA Cup match against Middlesbrough is played behind closed doors. And Roman Abramovich's private jet has landed in Russia after he was spotted for the first time in a month at an airport in Israel.
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Abramovich's jet arrives in Russia
Roman Abramovich's private jet has landed in Russia hours after the Chelsea owner was seen waiting in the VIP lounge at an airport in Israel.
Abramovich had put Chelsea up for sale before being sanctioned by the UK government over his alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian billionaire has denied all ties with Putin and it has not been confirmed whether he was on the flight to Moscow.
Abramovich was seen for the first time in a month waiting for his private jet in Tel Aviv, Israel, before it travelled to Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters reports that the Chelsea owner is not planning on meeting with Putin in Moscow, while a spokesperson for Abramovich declined the news agency's request to comment.
Chelsea slammed
Chelsea have been slammed following their request to play their FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough behind closed doors for the sake of "sporting integrity".
The Blues had hoped to play the fixture without fans due to their inability to sell tickets because of the sanctions placed on owner Roman Abramovich. But their request to do so was met with criticism from Middlesbrough, who labelled the request "bizarre and without any merit".
And Politico reports being told by a senior government source the statement "shows they do not seem to understand the seriousness of the situation they are in".
Lille tie to be shown in Russia
Vladimir Putin's intervention has ensured Chelsea's Champions League tie with Lille will be on Russian TV.
Putin issued a presidential decree which meant Match TV could be set up, and the channel holds the rights to the Champions League within Russia. And as UEFA has not suspended broadcast contracts in Russia following the country's invasion of Ukraine, all of this week's European ties will continue to be aired on the channel as expected.
That means football fans in Russia will be able to tune in when Thomas Tuchel's side take on Lille in the second leg of their last-16 tie after winning 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
