Chelsea and Tottenham avoid fixture disruption after special UEFA ruling | OneFootball

Clubs can play European knockout ties in London on same night

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has avoided awkward rescheduling

REUTERS

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Chelsea and Tottenham are set to be allowed to play the home legs of their European knockout ties on the same night next month after being given the green light from local authorities and UEFA.

Chelsea will face either La Liga side Real Betis or Danish club FC Copenhagen in the Conference League, while Spurs could also face Spanish opposition in Real Sociedad or Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.

The first legs on the continent are scheduled for Thursday, March 6.

There is 16km between Stamford Bridge and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Getty Images

UEFA's rules usually prohibit clubs from competing on the same day if they share a stadium, city or are located in cities within a radius of 50km.

There is roughly 16km between Stamford Bridge in west London and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the north of the capital.

But UEFA are happy for the clubs to play on the same evening after it was cleared by the relevant local authorities, including police, helping both sides avoid fixture disruption.

Final confirmation of the dates for all ties is expected on Friday afternoon once UEFA's European draws have been completed.