Chelsea could soon recommence the selling of matchday tickets but only if they agree to donate all proceeds as humanitarian aid to Ukraine, it's been reported.
Sanctions against owner Roman Abramovich were confirmed by the UK government on Thursday morning due to what they call the Russian's "close relationship" with Vladimir Putin.
Despite Abramovich continuously denying the link, sanctions still went ahead, leaving all the billionaire's UK assets frozen and Chelsea in limbo.
While the government granted special license for Chelsea to continue playing games and pay their staff, their sanctions mean ticket sales will no longer be available. Only tickets purchased prior to March 10 will remain valid.
The Blues are continuing to lobby the government for alterations to the sanctions that will allow them to operate in as near a normal fashion as possible.
According to a report from PA, sports minister Nigel Huddleston is understood to have told a meeting of the Football Supporters’ Association on Thursday that the Government would be open to the idea of a return to ticket sales.
Mid Worcestershire Conservative MP Huddleston did not rule out Chelsea being able to sell new tickets to fans, when the idea of donating all profit to charities to aid Ukraine was floated in the virtual meeting with the FSA.
How the sanctions will affect Abramovich's intended sale of the club is yet to be seen, but latest reports indicate that interested parties such as Nick Candy and Todd Boehly have not been deterred in their pursuit.
With his assets frozen rather than seized, the government still require the agreement of the Chelsea owner with regards to next steps to the sale of the Blues.
Despite the unsettling news of sanctions, Thomas Tuchel still led his side to a 3-1 victory over Norwich on Thursday night in the Premier League.
