Chelsea fans can now buy tickets for their away clash with Manchester United in May after the British government updated sanctions put upon owner Roman Abramovich.
Club owner Abramovich was punished last month for his ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine. The general licence imposed on Chelsea prevented the selling of tickets, merchandise and included other financial restraints to prevent Abramovich from profiting from the club.
On Wednesday, the government updated the licence. The club will now be able to sell tickets to away games, along with cup matches, affecting the Premier League trip to United in the middle of May, but the home club or competition organiser will collect the revenue.
The Premier League later confirmed money from Chelsea ticket sales will go to Ukraine charity. A statement read: "Chelsea have requested and the Premier League agreed that this revenue will be donated to charity to benefit victims of the war in Ukraine.”
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The news comes the week after Chelsea controversially submitted a request to play their FA Cup quarter-final tie against Middlesbrough at the Riverside behind closed doors. Chelsea won the game and will now head to Wembley to face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals, with fans present, though the Football Association will collect the ticket revenue.
Tickets will also be permitted for the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. The Liga giants will collect the revenue for the Santiago Bernabeu leg, with European football governing body UEFA picking up the proceeds from the Stamford Bridge clash.
British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “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."
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