Chelsea have this evening confirmed in an update posted on their official club website that Wednesday’s UEFA Women’s Champions League round of 32 second leg tie against Benfica will be played behind-closed-doors.
Greater London, along with parts of the South East will move into Tier 3 of the Government’s winter plan to battle the Coronavirus pandemic on 00.01am on Wednesday morning meaning that fans will no longer be permitted to attend elite sports events in the affected areas.
Chelsea have this evening provided clarification for their supporters, advising that their home games at Kingsmeadow will now revert to being played behind-closed-doors for the time being, which includes Wednesday’s European tie with Benfica.
Emma Hayes’ side already have one foot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League round of 16 draw after winning their round of 32 first leg tie 5-0 a little under a week ago. A brace from Fran Kirby, along with goals from Millie Bright and Pernille Harder, gave The Blues a 4-0 lead at the break in Lisbon before Beth England added a further goal in the second period.
Chelsea’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday is now also to be played behind-closed-doors. It is hoped that the situation may change by the time Manchester United visit Kingsmeadow on 17 January for Chelsea’s first home fixture of 2021, although this is subject to a drop in COVID-19 positive cases.