Middlesbrough and Steve Gibson have offered out '3,200' extra tickets to Boro supporters after Chelsea failed in their 'pathetic' attempts to get the get the game played behind closed doors.
The North East club were involved in a furious exchange with the Blues on Tuesday as the government's inability to make changes to the special 'license' that Chelsea are operating under meant that no extra away tickets were sold. This prompted the hierarchy in west London to propose the game be played behind closed doors for 'sporting integrity' reasons, a request that received a frosty response from Chairman Steve Gibson.
"We are aware of Chelsea's request to have Saturday's Emirates FA Cup sixth round tie played behind closed doors and find their suggestion both bizarre and without any merit whatsoever," the club wrote on their official website before Gibson delivered his own view. "All concerned are well aware of the reasons Chelsea have been sanctioned and that this has nothing to do with Middlesbrough Football Club. To suggest as result that MFC and our fans should be penalised is not only grossly unfair but without any foundation.
