Middlesbrough have released an official statement concerning the appeal from Chelsea that the FA Cup game be played behind closed doors.
READ ALSO: CHELSEA REQUEST FA CUP GAME WITH MIDDLESBROUGH BE PLAYED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Boro released the statement on its official website on Tuesday, March 15th, 2022 just a few hours after Chelsea's appeal. Chelsea had earlier written to the FA seeking that the game is played without fans using sports integrity as a reason why their decision should be granted
The Blues had a meeting with representatives of the UK government to relax its sanction which includes the sale of tickets.
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. 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.
The English FA will meet tomorrow( Wednesday) to decide as it concerns that game at the Riverside.
