Middlesbrough incensed by Chelsea request to play FA Cup tie in empty stadium

Boro are due to host Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup (Mike Egerton/PA)

Middlesbrough have hit out at Chelsea’s request to get Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final at the Riverside played behind closed doors, labelling it “bizarre and without any merit whatsoever”.

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