BLUES' GREEN LIGHT
Chelsea’s clash at Norwich is ON despite Britain sanctioning Roman Abramovich and club in jeopardy
CHELSEA'S match with Norwich tonight is ON - despite the drama surrounding the club off the pitch.
The Blues head to Carrow Road for a 7.30pm kick-off in the Premier League
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And the club confirmed it is still going ahead with a tweet of manager Thomas Tuchel mocked up as Norwich-based-parody radio host Alan Partridge holding a 'champions of the world' mug with the Norwich stadium in the background.
They then retweeted a brilliant video of N'Golo Kante announcing: "Ladies and gentlemen, it's matchday."
The confirmation came just minutes after Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was named on a UK Government sanction list amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It means the billionaire Russian oligarch will have all his assets frozen, be banned from coming to Britain and from doing any business here.
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That effectively bars Abramovich from selling Chelsea, despite announcing they were up for sale last week.
The bombshell announcement sanctioning the club essentially places them in limbo.
A special licence from the Treasury means that 'football-related activities' can go ahead - such as matches.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said Blues fans will 'obviously' be impacted but assured them their fixtures and tickets are safe.
It comes as:
- LIVE: The very latest from Stamford Bridge
- Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is sanctioned by UK Government and BANNED from selling club
- Club at threat of POINTS DEDUCTION
- Chelsea are banned from selling match tickets
- Club slapped with transfer ban and giving out contracts
- Tonight's game against Norwich is ON despite the drama
- Chelsea can only earn money from food and drink
- Strict travel budget means ban on private jets to away games
- FIVE players are now certain to leave in summer
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Those impacts include Tuchel's side being slapped with a transfer ban and are unable to give out any new contracts in a devastating blow.
They are now set to lose defenders Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta on free transfers, with Chelsea unable to hand out contracts either.
The trio can strike pre-contract agreements at foreign sides, with Christensen and Azpilicueta already thought to be on the verge of joining Barcelona.
The club is also not allowed to sell any more match tickets, with only season ticket holders able to attend games while merchandise sales have been banned too.
On the field, the match at Norwich presents a glorious chance to take another step towards Champions League qualification.
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The Blues currently sit third and come into the game against the division's bottom side in red-hot form.
They have won eight of their last nine matches - with the only other match the penalty shootout defeat by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
And last time out in the Prem they bashed Burnley 4-0 at Turf Moor.
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