Chelsea have withdrawn their request for their FA Cup quarter-final clash against Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors. That led to their request on Tuesday morning for the game to be played behind closed doors – which has now been withdrawn. An FA statement released on Wednesday afternoon read: “After constructive talks between The FA and Chelsea, the club has agreed to remove their request for the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final tie against Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors. Middlesbrough then offered a clear rebuff to Chelsea's statement by claiming that the request was both "bizarre" and "without merit". Following talks with the FA, the Blues have shelved their request entirely.

Source: Daily Mirror March 15, 2022 23:20 UTC