Middlesbrough FC have responded harshly to Chelsea’s request to play this weekend’s FA Cup quarter final fixture behind closed doors.

Middlesborough in a statement on their official website, said they found Chelsea’s request to be “bizarre and without any merit whatsoever.”

“We are aware of Chelsea’s request to have Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup sixth round tie played behind closed doors and find their suggestion both bizarre and without any merit whatsoever.

“All concerned are well aware of the reasons Chelsea have been sanctioned and that this has nothing to do with Middlesbrough Football Club.

“To suggest as a result that MFC and our fans should be penalised is not only grossly unfair but without any foundation,” the club said. 

“Given the reasons for these sanctions, for Chelsea to seek to invoke sporting “integrity” as the reason for the game being played behind closed doors is ironic in the extreme.

“We currently await formal notification from the FA of the next steps but rest assured MFC will resist Chelsea’s actions in the strongest terms,” Middlesbrough added. 

Chelsea had earlier request the match be played behind closed doors after failing to sell out their allocated seats in the away section of Riverside stadium. 

The Blues in their statement said, “We are disappointed to announce we will not be able to sell tickets for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough.” 

According to the club, “the deadline to purchase away tickets passed without appropriate amendments being made to the government licence, which would allow a full allocation of Chelsea supporters to attend.” 

Chelsea said this was “despite engaging in extensive discussions with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation.”

The statement added that, “Executives at Middlesbrough had been kind enough to extend their deadline for ticket sales and stadium allocation from 7.30 pm last night until 9.30 am this morning.

“It is important for the competition that the match against Middlesbrough goes ahead, however, it is with extreme reluctance that we are asking the FA board to direct that the game be played behind closed doors for matters of sporting integrity.

“Chelsea FC recognises that such an outcome would have a huge impact on Middlesbrough and its supporters, as well as our own fans who have already bought the limited number of tickets that were sold before the licence was imposed, but we believe this is the fairest way of proceeding in the current circumstances.

“We will continue to discuss the issue of ticket sales with OFSI as there are a number of fixtures still to be played this season, and we hope to reach a resolution.”

Meanwhile, in response to Chelsea’s request, the FA said “The matter will be discussed at the Professional Game Board meeting tomorrow.”