Chelsea allowed to sell tickets for away and cup matches as UK government amends licence amid sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich

The UK government has amended the general licence granted to Chelsea to keep the club running by announcing that the club is now allowed to sell tickets for away and cup matches.

Chelsea have been banned from selling tickets since owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned for his links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The government has now put in place special dispensation for away fans, cup games and women’s fixtures providing Chelsea do not receive any revenue.

It means tickets for the first leg of Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 6 can be sold.

The west London club won’t receive any proceeds from tickets sold, with UEFA set to collect the cash.

The government’s updated license states that Chelsea must transfer proceeds from ticket sales ‘to a permitted third party’.

Chelsea are still unable to sell new tickets for home Premier League games, but existing season ticket holders can still attend whilst there will be access to tickets for women’s games.

Blues fans will also be able to attend the upcoming FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace at Wembley after the Football Association was involved in talks to ensure fans of both the Blues and opponents Crystal Palace could attend.

Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “The government has today made alterations to the licence to Chelsea Football club so that fans will be able to access tickets to away matches, cup games and women’s fixtures.

“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.”

Abramovich announced his intention to sell the club a week before the sanctions on him were imposed.

There’s been huge interest in the club, with British property tycoon Nick Candy and the Ricketts family, who own the Chicaco Cubs, are contenders to purchase it off Abramovich.