Telegraph Sport can reveal that under the current licence that allows the club to operate while Abramovich’s assets are frozen and merchant bank Raine decides on a preferred buyer, Chelsea would not be able to pay for enough security, stewarding and catering to keep all sections of Stamford Bridge open. And in the very worst-case scenario, Chelsea do not believe they would be able to complete the season under the current terms of the licence which they are hopeful will be reviewed in the coming days to help them through the sale process. 

Chelsea have argued that the club needs ticket sales to bring in enough revenue to remain operational and that the £20,000 cap on travel would not have even covered the cost of going to Norwich on Thursday night, let alone travelling overseas for Champions League games. Under the sanctions that were imposed on the club on Thursday morning, Chelsea were told that the cost of hosting a home game must not exceed £500,000, but the Government have been informed that it costs between £800,000 to £1million to stage a Premier League match. Chelsea have appealed to the Government that they could not provide security, stewarding and catering in some areas of the ground and not others, insisting that their only option would be to shut areas or full stands within Stamford Bridge. 

As part of that appeal, Chelsea have insisted that allowing them to sell tickets and bring in operational revenue would not provide any profit for Abramovich. They have also argued that the current licence needlessly punishes supporters and undermines the club’s cultural importance. The licence is not expected to be amended in time for Sunday’s game against Newcastle United, which means supporters are set for a very different Stamford Bridge experience. There will be no official programme on sale outside Stamford Bridge, as only subscribers or those who have already purchased hospitality packages will be able to get one. 

That means the programme kiosks will be shut and those who usually sell them have been stood down. Chelsea will continue to pay staff members, even if they have been stood down, but freelance and contract staff will not be paid. The club shop will remain shut and Chelsea were on Friday making a decision over what will be displayed on the front of the players’ shirts at the weekend.