CHELSEA are refusing to sell anymore tickets for their FA Youth Cup quarter-final against Millwall due to fears of crowd trouble.
The Blues have capped the attendance for Thursdays clash at their 41,631-seater Stamford Bridge stadium to just 2,700 in a bid to prevent violence between the clubs notorious hooligans.
Less than 400 fans watched their 7-0 home win over Wolves in the previous round at Aldershots Recreation Ground – the venue for most of Chelseas youth games.
The last-eight tie against the Lions was switched to Stamford Bridge on security advice.
Millwall requested more tickets after their allocation of 1,000 sold out in just a few hours.
Chelsea said no and decided to limit the number of sales to their own fans to just 1,400 – with the remaining 300 going to families, scouts, officials and media.
The clubs have not met at senior level for 25 years, but the Blues are worried hooligans from both clubs are using the kids cup tie to plot a repeat of the violence that has marred this fixture in the past.
In 1984 Chelsea reserve defender Robert Isaac was stabbed outside the Den before a Milk Cup tie.
The last time the sides met – an FA Cup fourth round replay at Stamford Bridge in 1995 – mounted police had to come onto the pitch to stop fans from getting at each other after the Lions won on penalties.
While outside the stadium thugs fought in the surrounding streets.
The rivalry between the clubs hooligan gangs was depicted in the film The Football Factory.
Chelsea believe capping the attendance is the best way to prevent trouble.
Millwall – fearing hundreds of fans without tickets could travel to the game – would rather more tickets were sold so fans can policed better.
