Blues left with Wembley after Twickenham rejection

by Dan Surrey

Chelsea have been told that they will not be allowed to play at Twickenham while Stamford Bridge is being redeveloped.

The club had hoped that the rugby stadium would be their temporary home for three years but RFU chief Ian Ritchie has ruled the possibility out.

Hammersmith and Fulham council granted the West London club planning permission for their new 60,000-seater stadium last week.

The ground, which is due to be completed at the start of the 2021-2022 season, is due to cost over 500 million pounds.

A letter that Twickenham MP Dr Tania Mathias wrote to Ritchie last week read: “Following the decision by Hammersmith and Fulham council to approve plans for Chelsea’s new stadium, I am writing to you to re-state my position that I do not support Chelsea FC being based, temporarily or otherwise, at Twickenham.

“My opposition to more non-rugby fixtures at Twickenham is based on concerns regarding increased problems for local residents such as match-day traffic, an increase in litter, public urination and other anti-social behavior.”

It is likely that the club will now be forced to move into Wembley from 2018 for three seasons.

Tottenham are playing their European fixtures at Wembley this season and will play all home matches there next season, leading to a ground share scenario, which would ignite the fierce London rivalry.

The North London outfit released imagery of their brand new 60,000 seat stadium this week, which will cost £750 million, is set to include behind the scenes views of the players tunnel and seats behind the managers dugout.