Chelsea have been barred from handing out free tickets for a memorial service for club legend Peter Bonetti due to the sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich.
The Russian oligarch was added to the UK government's sanctioned list earlier this month after Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine, leading to thousands of deaths. Abramovich is alleged to have ties to the Putin regime, something he denies.
Bonetti is one of the greatest goalkeepers in Chelsea's history, spending nearly 20 years of his career at Stamford Bridge. During that time, he won the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Cup Winners' Cup. He was part of the England squad that won the World Cup in 1966.
The iconic stopper passed away aged 78 in April 2020 and a memorial service is planned for Friday at 2pm. But, according to the Daily Mail, only those who purchased tickets before Abramovich's sanctions came into force can attend the event.
Chelsea have been given a special license by the UK government to continue operating but under a strict set of rules. The Blues are not allowed to sell tickets or merchandise, closing their club shop within minutes of the sanctions being announced.
Although the Blues are willing to give away tickets for Bonetti's memorial service for free, this is still viewed as a transaction and therefore not allowed. Chelsea are said to have deleted a page about the memorial service from their website.
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The Blues could be forced to travel by bus to their FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough on Saturday. Chelsea asked for the game to play behind closed doors due to their ticket ban - which includes away games - although this request has been withdrawn.
"I will pay, that’s no problem," said Kai Havertz when asked about travel. "I think that’s not a big deal for us. For us to come to the games is the most important thing. I think there are a lot of harder moments, harder things in the world right now than if we have to take a bus or plane to an away game."
Havertz's comments come days after Thomas Tuchel offered to drive a "seven-seater" bus to France for Chelsea's Champions League game against Lille on Wednesday evening.
"I think practically what’s changed is more for the guys who for example organised the journey to Lille because they had to figure out how we were arriving there," said Tuchel. "My last information was that we are getting a plane. So we can go by plane and come back by plane. If not, we'll go by train. If not, we'll go by bus. If not, I'll drive a seven-seater!
"Honestly, I will do it. You can mark my words, I will do it to arrive there. If you’d asked me 20 or 30 years ago, to be in charge of a Champions League match what I was willing to do, I'd say: 'Ok, where do I have to be and when?' Why should this change? I will be there and we will be there. Of course, organisation wise, there are some negotiations going on and talks, but it doesn't influence me."
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