Chelsea have had their ticket allocation for their Champions League last-16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain cut due to the heightened security level in the French capital and the behaviour of their fans last year.
In a statement on the club’s website, they said their ticket allocation for the match on 16 February will be 1400, 800 fewer than last season, and the allocations given to Ajax and Anderlecht for their games at the Parc des Princes recently – both after the Paris attacks. Away supporters for domestic matches in France have not been allowed since November’s terrorist attacks in Paris.
Chelsea made representations to have the allocation restored to the normal level, but were denied due to the trouble with fans in the city last year, when supporters were alleged to have pushed a black man off the Paris Métro while chanting: “We’re racist and that’s the way we like it.”
A statement on the club’s website read: “With a heightened security situation in France ongoing, Chelsea Football Club has been advised by French authorities that we are to receive a smaller allocation of tickets for our supporters to attend the Champions League game away to Paris Saint-Germain on 16th February compared with our allocation for the similar match during the previous two seasons.
“The club will receive 1400 tickets for next month’s game and, although a year ago we received 2100 tickets, the reduced number does compare favourably with other clubs playing Champions League games this season at Parc des Princes. Ajax and Anderlecht were given approximately 800 tickets for their most recent games there. Away supporters at domestic league matches in Paris are not allowed following November’s terrorist attacks.
“While we are disappointed that not all our fans who want to go to the game will now be able to attend, we appreciate the Parisien authorities are operating in a heightened security environment.
“Chelsea FC met with Paris Police (including their Commissioner), Uefa and our counterparts from PSG and made representations for the proposed ticket allocation to be set at previous levels. The club made our best effort to obtain the full allocation but was advised it would not be possible due to issues that occurred with Chelsea fans in the Paris tube and elsewhere last year, in addition to the ongoing security situation.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com
