Chelsea withdrew its request to play its FA Cup game against Middlesbrough without a crowd, the Football Association said Tuesday following pushback from the second-tier club hosting the match.
The Premier League team had proposed no fans because the government won’t allow Chelsea to sell any tickets under the terms of its license to operate after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned.
“After constructive talks between the FA and Chelsea, the club has agreed to remove (its) request … (for the quarterfinal) to be played behind closed doors,” the FA said in a statement.