Chelsea has cited security concerns as the reason behind its decision to withhold tickets for its UEFA Champions League fixture against Ajax from going on general sale.
Earlier this month, it was announced that the Dutch Eredivisie club would receive a ticket allocation of just 833 for its trip to Stamford Bridge due to “disturbances with Ajax supporters in Great Britain in particular.”
The London club said in a statement yesterday (Wednesday): “Following security concerns considered by the Safety Advisory Group, the club are undertaking a range of security measures, which includes tighter controls of the sale of home tickets.”
Chelsea will host the Amsterdam-based team on November 5, which is matchday four of this year’s Champions League group stage.
Ajax’s last trip to London for its semi-final first leg match against Tottenham in April led to nine of its supporters being arrested and three police officers being injured after violent clashes.
Ajax claimed earlier in the month that it has been informed that its supporters would not be allowed to travel to attend matches in Great Britain. However, a delegation from Ajax travelled to a scheduled meeting with the authorities in London about the organisation of the Chelsea match.
It was decided that the lower part of the 41,631-capacity Stamford Bridge branch will be made available to Ajax, offering 833 tickets in total to the club. This compares to the allocation of 3,000 which Chelsea usually offers.
To ensure that away fans cannot obtain more than what has been allocated, the Stamford Bridge club has moved to not put any tickets on general sale.
Instead, season ticket holders can now buy their own seat until October 16, with season ticket holders who have not purchased a seat given another chance to purchase any remaining seat that has not been taken by a fellow season ticket holder in the reservation period on October 17.
Tickets will then be sold to members on a loyalty point basis from October 18, with the number of loyalty points required to be announced on October 17.
Image: Vespa125125CFC
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