Chelsea want Middlesbrough tie played behind closed doors due to ticket sale ban

Chelsea are at the Riverside Stadium this weekend (Richard Sellers/PA)

Chelsea want Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough played behind closed doors after the Government blocked the Blues from selling tickets for the Riverside clash.

The Blues have lobbied Government hard over relaxations to the strict operating licence put in place after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by Downing Street.