Chelsea have kept a Roman Abramovich banner in place at Stamford Bridge ahead of their game against Newcastle United.
The Blues host the Mapgies on Sunday afternoon, their first home match since Roman Abramovich's assets were frozen by the UK Government.
Abramovich is at the centre of calls for Russian oligarchs living abroad to face repercussions in the wake of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
The Chelsea owner is ready to sell the club but the sanctions dished out by the government will prevent him from profiting from the sale.
The Premier League have taken the decision to disqualify the Blues owner as director of the club, but this afternoon's game against Eddie Howe's men goes ahead as planned.
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The pre-match atmosphere at Stamford Bridge has a strange feel to it, however, with the club shop and concourse shut.
Chelsea have not removed 'The Roman Empire' banner, which has Abramovich's face on it, something that is typically displayed at every home game.
The stadium looks deserted ahead of kick-off and there is not the same pre-match buzz around the place.
The club shop is closed with Chelsea unable to sell any official merchandise due to Abramovich's sanctions. Security are also lined up outside the concourse with certain sections also shut.
Signs for Chelsea's last home match against Brentford are still up too instead of displaying this afternoon's clash against Newcastle.
Thomas Tuchel's men will try and put these off-field issues to the back of their minds and build on their 3-1 win over Norwich City midweek at Carrow Road.
Abramovich announced he was ready to put Chelsea up for sale, ending his 19-year tenure at Stamford Bridge but the Russian was added to the United Kingdom's sanctioned individuals list before the Premier League made the decision to disqualify the Blues owner as director of the club.
A Premier League statement read: "Following the imposition of sanctions by the UK Government, the Premier League Board has disqualified Roman Abramovich as a Director of Chelsea Football Club.
"The Board’s decision does not impact on the club’s ability to train and play its fixtures, as set out under the terms of a licence issued by the Government which expires on 31 May 2022."
The UK government welcomed the news, adding: "We need to hold to account those who have enabled the Vladimir Putin regime. We are open to a sale of the club and would consider an application for a licence to allow that to happen."
The government has issued a special licence that will allow fixtures to be fulfilled, staff to be paid and existing ticket-holders to attend matches, however.
Chelsea will be unable to buy or sell players or offer new contracts, while the sanctions are imposed on Abramovich.
