Stamford Bridge away allocation announced for Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League matches played at Chelsea’s stadium

SHAKHTAR Donetsk will cap the number of away fans for their Champions League games in London – in a bid to make them feel like home matches. The Ukrainians, who have been unable to play on their own soil since the 2022 invasion by Russia, agreed a deal with Chelsea to use Stamford Bridge for their four home games. Shaktar Donetsk will cap their away fan limit during Champions League games at Stamford Bridge Credit: Getty The Ukrainian side want their European games to feel like home matches Credit: Getty While they missed out on hosting any of the Prem’s five representatives, Shakhtar pulled out a plum tie with a home game against Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, alongside matches with Sporting Lisbon, Fenerbahce and AEK Athens. That raised the prospect of 35,000-plus Madrid fans swarming into London to see their side in action. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Uefa rules only mandate that clubs sell a minimum of five per cent of tickets to away supporters, with no limit on the maximum number. But with an estimated 200,000 Ukrainians now living in London, the majority of whom are refugees from the ongoing war, Donetsk have prioritised those supporters rather than seeking to cash in on Spanish interest. Final ticket details, including prices, are expected to be published early next week but Donetsk will sell only 10 per cent of available seats – adding up to just under 4,500, to visiting supporters. That should ensure a “home” atmosphere, with Donetsk sporting director, former Croatia wing-back Darijo Srna, explaining: “We want this to be a game for all our fans who now live in the UK. “We think we will get a full stadium for Real Madrid, hopefully for Fenerbahce too, and good crowds for the other matches as well. “This is a historical moment for us and there will be a four-match package of tickets for the whole set of games. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK “We are looking forward to seeing the Ukrainian flags all over Stamford Bridge.” Chelsea confirmed Shakhtar would be playing Champions League games at the Bridge in an announcement last week. The club said: “FC Shakhtar have played in countries across Europe and we look forward to welcoming them to London for their Champions League campaign this year. “We will be working with the Shakhtar team closely over the coming weeks to ensure that matchdays run safely and smoothly for their team and supporters.” Shakhtar added: “Playing our Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge is a special opportunity for Shakhtar. “We are grateful to Chelsea Football Club for the opportunity to host our games at this special venue. “Stamford Bridge is one of the most famous stadiums in world football, with an incredible history and atmosphere. “We are convinced that Shakhtar’s matches in London will provide unforgettable emotions for Ukrainian and English fans.” Talks between the clubs began in July, as the Ukrainians were forced to abandon the Donbas Arena when Russian troops invaded Crimea and a war broke out in the region in 2014. They have brokered deals with German sides Hamburg and Schalke, and Poland’s Wisla Krakow, in each of the last three seasons. Comment now