A UEFA regulation preventing multiple matches in the same city on the same night could force Chelsea to play their Champions League home leg at a neutral venue.
Chelsea’s Champions League campaign faces a logistical hurdle after qualifying for the round of 16. A little-known UEFA regulation mandates that “only one game to be played in a city on any given night.”
Since Arsenal and Tottenham finished higher in their groups, they receive scheduling priority, potentially forcing the Blues to host their home leg at a neutral stadium away from Stamford Bridge.
The rule aims to prevent local security and policing from being “stretched too thin” by multiple high-profile events.
UEFA policy dictates that clubs cannot play in the same city or within a 30-mile radius on a single matchday.
Chelsea must now seek “special dispensation” from UEFA and the support of London authorities to bypass the restriction and maintain their home-field advantage for the knockout stage.