Chelsea legend Graeme Le Saux has slammed his former employers after they demanded Saturday's FA Cup game against Middlesbrough be played behind closed doors - a request that has since been withdrawn.
The Blues are not allowed to sell tickets for the away game after sanctions were placed on their owner Roman Abramovich. Chelsea asked for the tie to be played in front of no spectators "for matters of sporting integrity".
The UK government and others slammed the Champions League holders for the request and Le Saux, who made more than 300 appearances for Chelsea across two spells, believes it is "either ignorant or arrogant".
"I can't think of a more embarrassing statement to come out of the club that I played for for 12 years," tweeted Le Saux. "[It's] either ignorant or arrogant. I am confident it doesn't represent the feelings of the coaching and playing staff."
Chelsea stunned the footballing world when they asked for the game to be played without fans on Tuesday morning, despite Middlesbrough having already sold thousands of tickets.
Abramovich was sanctioned following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has led to thousands of deaths in eastern Europe. The Russian oligarch is alleged to have ties with president Vladimir Putin, something he denies.
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"We are disappointed to announce we will not be able to sell tickets for Saturday's FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough," read Chelsea's statement.
"Despite engaging in extensive discussions with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), the deadline to purchase away tickets has passed without appropriate amendments being made to the Government licence which would allow a full allocation of Chelsea supporters to attend.
"Executives at Middlesbrough had been kind enough to extend their deadline for ticket sales and stadium allocation from 7.30pm last night until 9.30am this morning.
"It is important for the competition that the match against Middlesbrough goes ahead, however it is with extreme reluctance that we are asking the FA board to direct that the game be played behind closed doors for matters of sporting integrity.
"Chelsea FC recognises that such an outcome would have a huge impact on Middlesbrough and its supporters, as well as our own fans who have already bought the limited number of tickets that were sold before the licence was imposed, but we believe this is the fairest way of proceeding in the current circumstances.
"We will continue to discuss the issue of ticket sales with OFSI as there are a number of fixtures still to be played this season and we hope to reach a resolution."
Unsurprisingly, Middlesbrough were not impressed with Chelsea's request. "We are aware of Chelsea's request to have Saturday's Emirates FA Cup sixth round tie played behind closed doors and find their suggestion both bizarre and without any merit," read the Championship side's response.
"All concerned are well aware of the reasons Chelsea have been sanctioned and that this has nothing to do with Middlesbrough Football Club. To suggest as result that MFC and our fans should be penalised is not only grossly unfair but without any foundation.
"Given the reasons for these sanctions, for Chelsea to seek to invoke sporting "integrity" as reason for the game being played behind closed doors is ironic in the extreme. We currently await formal notification from the FA of the next steps but rest assured MFC will resist Chelsea's actions in the strongest terms."
A government source added: "We are working around the clock to enable Chelsea to continue operating as a club in the interests of fans.
"This statement threatening Middlesbrough and the rest of the Football League shows they do not seem to understand the seriousness of the situation they are in, being owned by an entity that has been sanctioned because of links to a person responsible of appalling acts in Ukraine.
"We are not opposed to Chelsea having fans at games, but we will not allow money from ticket sales to flow to a sanctioned entity. Chelsea should spend less time worrying about a few thousand fans at one game, and focus on moving their club into the hands of someone who isn't linked to a warmonger."
Chelsea's request was removed on Tuesday evening. "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," confirmed an FA statement.
"The FA remains in ongoing discussions with Chelsea, the Premier League and the Government to find a solution that would enable both Chelsea fans to attend games and away fans to attend Stamford Bridge, whilst ensuring sanctions are respected."
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