Tension at Stamford Bridge As UK Government Responds Harshly to Chelsea FA Cup Request

• The UK government says Chelsea do not seem to understand the seriousness of the situation they are in after the Blues had requested to play behind closed doors
• Chelsea have asked for their game against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on Saturday to be played behind closed doors for sporting integrity
• The Blues are under sanctions and having to operate under a general licence following sanctions placed on owner Roman Abramovich

Chelsea has been reprimanded by the United Kingdom government as the Blues were accused of Bullying FA Cup opponents Middlesborough.

The Blues had asked for their FA Cup match against Middlesborough to be played behind closed doors for sporting integrity following sanctions that prevented them from selling match tickets.

According to a report via Sports Bible, a UK government source has hit back in scathing fashion revealing the London club hasn't fully grasped the situation they are in.

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"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.

"We are not opposed to Chelsea having fans at games in the long run, but we will not allow money from ticket sales to flow to a sanctioned entity."

Chelsea has been under sanctions and has been operating under a general licence following sanctions placed on owner Roman Abramovich.

Football can manage without Russian money

Meanwhile, UK Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston says football can manage perfectly well without Russian investment BBC reports.

This comes after Chelsea was placed under sanctions by the Government following the seizure of Roman Abramovich's assets.

Huddleston insists there are several investors around the globe that can be partnered with in developing football rather than Russian investors.

Middlesbrough vow to resist 'bizarre' Chelsea FA Cup request

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Middlesbrough described a request by Chelsea to have this weekend's FA Cup quarter-final tie played behind closed doors as "bizarre and without any merit".

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The Premier League club want Saturday's game at the Riverside played in an empty stadium after the British government blocked them from making new ticket sales, with only existing ticket holders allowed to attend matches.

The Blues have pushed ministers for relaxations to the strict operating licence put in place after Russian owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned last week.