Simon Jordan Slams Chelsea Not Being Allowed To Sell Tickets For Middlesbrough Game In Furious Rant

Simon Jordan believes the decision to not allow Chelsea to sell tickets for their FA Cup quarter-final tie against Middlesbrough is 'stupid' and 'lackadaisical'.

Recent sanctions placed on owner Roman Abramovich means the Blues are unable to sell tickets, with only season ticket holders able to attend games.

Chelsea are allowed to operate under a special licence from the UK government but cannot generate any new revenue.

Jordan blasted the call on talkSPORT as he says no money will be going to Abramovich regardless.

"It makes no sense," he explained. "If the argument is that Chelsea can't get any more money because the feeling is they're pushing it towards Abramovich, the gate receipts of an FA Cup tie irrespective of which fans are buying it, are split 45/45 with 10 per cent going towards the FA.

"They're already getting money from Middlesbrough fans, so what is the reason for stopping Chelsea fans from going to that game besides the concern the money is going to the Abramovich regime?

"There's 20,000 Middlesbrough fans in that stadium, you're getting 45 per cent of those Middlesrbough fans' money as well.

"It doesn't just go to Middlesbrough, it gets split between the two clubs. So what are you stopping Chelsea from getting? Just the benefit of their [Middlesbrough] own fans going, it's bloody stupid!

"It's stupid anyway because the whole logic is flawed. The money isn't going to Abramovich.

"It could've easily been escrowed off, it could've easily been held by the Premier League, it could've been held by Middlesbrough's box office and given to Chelsea further down the line when the change of ownership comes into play. It’s stupid, lackadaisical thinking!"

The reigning world champions requested Saturday's game be played behind closed doors not long after the ticket announcement.

It was swiftly rejected by the FA however and by the end of play on Tuesday, Chelsea officially removed their request.

A number of sponsors have suspended their sponsorship of Chelsea, including Hyundai and Three.

Training kit sponsor Trivago will not be suspending their sponsorship but are looking forward to a change of ownership 'as soon as possible'.

Kit manufacturer Nike are said to be standing by Chelsea.

Chelsea have reached the last two FA Cup finals, losing to Arsenal in 2020 and Leicester City in 2021.

They currently sit third in the Premier League and defeated Newcastle United 1-0 last time out.