There were as many as 600 away fans were spotted at the Riverside Stadium for Saturday evening's FA Cup game between Middlesbrough and Chelsea. The Blues have been banned from selling tickets as a result of the sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich.
The Russian oligarch was punished by the UK government for allegedly having ties with Vladimir Putin, who is currently waging a bloody war in neighbouring Ukraine. Abramovich has always denied links to the Putin regime.
Chelsea were forced to return 3,200 tickets to the Championship club due to the sanctions, with around 700 sold before they were announced. It's also entirely possible a few Blues fans got tickets in the home end and are keeping their footballing allegiance quiet.
Chelsea are currently operating under a special license, designed to restrict Abramovich from earning revenue. All previously sold tickets - such as season tickets - remain valid. Abramovich's sanctions will remain in place until May 31 but could be extended.
The billionaire has put the club up for sale and several consortiums submitted offers prior to Friday's deadline. One such bidder is Nick Candy - a property developer and Tory donor - who is leading a global consortium. Candy's alliance have offered £2billion.
Chelsea asked for Saturday's cup tie to be played behind closed doors due to their lack of travelling fans. "It is important for the competition that the match against Middlesbrough goes ahead," read a statement from the Premier League club.
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"However it is with extreme reluctance that we are asking the FA board to direct that the game be played behind closed doors for matters of sporting integrity... we believe this is the fairest way of proceeding in the current circumstances."
Chelsea's request was widely condemned. In particular, the suggestion of "supporting integrity" was mocked due to the club's involvement in the failed European Super League plot - a tournament that aimed to create a closed shop of so-called "elite" clubs.
"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," responded Middlesbrough in a scathing statement. "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.
"Given the reasons for these sanctions, for Chelsea to seek to invoke sporting 'integrity' as reason for the game being played behind closed doors is ironic in the extreme. We currently await formal notification from the FA of the next steps but rest assured MFC will resist Chelsea's actions in the strongest terms."
Chelsea's request was later withdrawn. "After constructive talks between The FA and Chelsea, the club has agreed to remove their request for the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final tie against Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors," confirmed the Blues.
"The FA remains in ongoing discussions with Chelsea, the Premier League and the Government to find a solution that would enable both Chelsea fans to attend games and away fans to attend Stamford Bridge, whilst ensuring sanctions are respected."
