The Premier League has announced that Norwich City vs Chelsea will go ahead ahead on Thursday evening following news that Roman Abramovich has been added to the UK government's sanction list.
The 55-year-old Russian's assets were frozen on Thursday morning in a move taken following weeks of pressure to announce sanctions on the club's owner.
However, the Blues have been allowed to continue operating under restrictions through a 'Russia Regulation' licence so as to limit the impact on the club and the football pyramid.
Chelsea will still be allowed to pay players and staff, pay outstanding transfer fees and also receive payments - though they will then be frozen.
The Premier League's statement read: "Following the UK Government’s announcement that sanctions have been imposed against Roman Abramovich, the Premier League can confirm tonight’s match between Norwich City and Chelsea will go ahead as planned.
"The Government has issued an initial licence to enable Chelsea to continue to train, play its fixtures and fulfill its obligations for the rest of the season.
"The League will now work with the club and the Government to ensure the season will proceed as planned and in line with the Government’s intention."
While Chelsea's matches themselves should not be under threat, restrictions have changed how the Blues' matchdays will look.
The club can no longer sell tickets for their matches but the 28,000 season ticket-holders will still be able to attend and make any outstanding payments left against theirs. Additional tickets will no longer be allowed on sale, including those for away fans.
Any tickets already sold, will still be honoured with the Department of Culture, Media and Support saying: "Any tickets bought prior to 10 March 2022, including season-tickets purchased before that date, are permitted to attend fixtures."
The Blues will further be limited to spending £500,000 to host a match to cover the likes of catering and stewarding but only £20,000 to fulfill the travel arrangements of any away fixtures.
Chelsea have released a statement of their own in which they hope to glean further details on the licence and to see it amended to allow further normality.
The said: "We will fulfil our men’s and women’s team fixtures today against Norwich and West Ham, respectively, and intend to engage in discussions with the UK Government regarding the scope of the licence.
"This will include seeking permission for the licence to be amended in order to allow the Club to operate as normal as possible. We will also be seeking guidance from the UK Government on the impact of these measures on the Chelsea Foundation and its important work in our communities."
