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Chelsea football club have been given the approval to sell tickets to away games, cup matches and women’s fixtures after the UK Government altered the Premier League club’s special licence.
The Blues had been granted the licence to continue operating after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned as part of the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The restrictions meant the club were not allowed to sell any tickets that had not already been purchased before the announcement on March 10.
However, a change to the licence means Chelsea will now be able to sell tickets for certain games.
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Those include the home leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on April 6 and the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium against Crystal Palace on the weekend of April 16-17.
Chelsea fans can also purchase tickets for future Premier League away fixtures, with any revenue going to the home team.
Supporters of away teams, meanwhile, can buy tickets for Premier League games at Stamford Bridge, with the revenue going to the Premier League, who in turn will pass on the proceeds to charities supporting the people of Ukraine.
Sports minister Nigel Huddleston said: “I would like to thank fans for their patience while we have engaged with the football authorities to make this possible.
“Since Roman Abramovich was added to the UK’s sanctions list for his links to [Russian President] Vladimir Putin we have worked extensively to ensure the club can continue to play football while ensuring the sanctions regime continues to be enforced.”
A Premier League spokesperson added: “The revised licence allows fans to attend Chelsea games, Chelsea fans to travel to away Premier League fixtures and Chelsea fans to attend the FA Cup, Champions League and WSL games.
“The Premier League will receive and hold any revenue from the sale of these tickets that would normally have gone to Chelsea.
“Chelsea have requested and the Premier League agreed that this revenue will be donated to charity to benefit victims of the war in Ukraine.
“The beneficiary charities will be announced in due course after consultation with the club.”
A host of potential investors have submitted bids to buy Chelsea following Abramovich’s announcement that he wanted to sell the club earlier in March.
London-based global investment firm Centricus are the latest group to make an offer, with British billionaire and boyhood Blues fan Nick Candy and the Chicago Cubs owners, the Ricketts family, known to have bids to take over the London giants.