Chelsea have been handed a big boost for their FA Cup quarter-final with the UK government raising the Blues' travel budget for the Middlesbrough trip.
The Stamford Bridge club have been hit with tough restrictions under the terms of their new operating licence in the wake of Roman Abramovich’s government sanctions.
Chelsea cannot sell new tickets for matches as the restrictions stand, but the Blues are continuing to lobby Downing Street over a range of relaxations to help restore something close to normal operating procedures.
The Blues were initially hit with a £20,000 travel budget cap for each match under the new licence, but now the government is understood to have lifted that limit – but initially only for Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Middlesbrough.
The average cost for a Premier League team to travel to Middlesbrough is understood to push beyond three times that £20,000 limit.
And now Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government is understood to have handed Chelsea a travel budget lift for their journey to the Riverside Stadium.
While Chelsea were unable to comment on the easing of restrictions, a club spokesman did thank Downing Street for regular dialogue over the Stamford Bridge club’s licence specifics.
A Chelsea spokesman said: "We are grateful for the Government’s continued attention to our requests for amendments to the licence."
Owner Abramovich was sanctioned last week after Downing Street claimed to have proven the 55-year-old’s links to Vladimir Putin amid Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.
Russian-Israeli billionaire Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale on 2 March, with that process accelerated considerably by last week’s sanctions.
Abramovich’s UK assets are all frozen barring Chelsea, with the Blues able to continue operations but with stringent controls.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Coe has joined Martin Broughton's consortium bid to buy Chelsea.
The former Olympic gold medallist and 2012 London Olympics chief has thrown his weight behind former Liverpool chairman Broughton’s attempt to take control of the Blues.
Coe would take a seat on Chelsea’s board should Broughton be successful in his candidacy to buy the Stamford Bridge club.
Coe hailed Broughton as the perfect person to take the Chelsea helm when current owner Roman Abramovich departs.
"I am certain that Sir Martin is the right man to lead Chelsea Football Club into its next chapter," said Coe.
"He has an exceptional track record in British business, as well as unrivalled experience in shepherding Liverpool out of a very difficult situation.
"He has the vision, acumen and financial backing to ensure our club’s future success, keeping Chelsea Football Club at the top of European football and challenging for trophies.
"But most importantly, like me, he is a lifelong Chelsea supporter and Shed End season-ticket holder. I know that this bid is for the millions of Chelsea fans around the world. We love our club and will always put the fans first."
British athletics great Coe won 1500m gold at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics in a glittering track career, before excelling in sports administration.
Coe was an ambassador for London’s 2012 Olympics bid and then a member of the board for the bid company.
Broughton ran British American Tobacco before chairing British Airways.
The high-profile British business figure now chairs private investment firm Sports Investment Partners.
Broughton helped steer Liverpool to the Reds’ current period of prosperity when he took the chairmanship on a short-term basis in 2010.
The accomplished businessman helped usher in current Anfield owners Tom Werner’s Fenway Sports Group.
The 74-year-old former British Airways chairman revealed his delight at bringing Chelsea fan Coe on board for his bid to buy the Blues.
"I am absolutely delighted to welcome Lord Coe to our bid. His reputation speaks for itself, and he will bring phenomenal insight, leadership and sporting knowledge to Chelsea Football Club," said Broughton.
