Deadline for Ajax to appeal supporter ban for Chelsea clash fast approaching after UEFA punish Dutch side for fan trouble in the Champions League
- Ajax supporters have been banned from Champions League game with Chelsea
- UEFA handed the punishment after fan trouble occurred against Valencia
- The Dutch side were given a suspended sentence for trouble at Benfica last year
- Last season’s semi finalists have until Saturday to appeal UEFA’s decision
Ajax have until Saturday to appeal the ban preventing them having any fans at their Champions League tie with Chelsea.
The Dutch side were informed last week that they had triggered a suspended punishment and none of their followers will now be allowed into Stamford Bridge for the November 5 tie.
The suspended sentence was hanging over Ajax following crowd trouble last season against Benfica.
Ajax have until Saturday to appeal a sanction stopping fans attending the Chelsea game
When their supporters reoffended against Valencia this season the fan ban kicked in affecting next month’s trip to London.
The champions of Holland were also fined £43,000 and given a ‘conditional penalty of one year for selling tickets at an away match.’ Chelsea usually allocate 3000 tickets for away fans but cut that amount to 833 in a bid to avoid further potential problems.
They will wait for Saturday’s appeal deadline to pass before considering their options.
UEFA’S regulations state the home clubs can reallocate any tickets that are returned or not requested by their visitors as long as all safety and security measures are met and they are not given to away fans.
The ban was handed down after Ajax fans caused trouble against Valencia earlier this season
Tottenham had a similar issue for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Red Star Belgrade who were also banned from selling tickets to their fans due to previous racist behaviour.
Spurs were unable to put tickets on general sale for fear of them ending up in the hands of Red Star supporters.
Around 150 followers of the Serbian side still managed to ‘illegally obtain’ tickets and get into the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs subsequently launched a full investigation and vowed to ‘take the strongest possible action against any individual found to have sold their ticket on.’