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READING, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Rafael Benitez, manager of Chelsea gestures during the Barclays Premier League match between Reading and Chelsea at Madejski Stadium on January 30, 2013 in Reading, England.
21 March 2013
UEFA have switched Chelsea’s Europa League quarter-final tie against Rubin Kazan to Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
Chelsea lost to Manchester United on penalties in the 2008 Champions League final at the 90,000-capacity venue, which has an artificial pitch.
Rafa Benitez (above) will take his team to Moscow after an inspection in Kazan, nearly 450 miles from the Russian capital. Rubin insist their pitch is suitable for April 11 clash but UEFA disagree. Rubin’s two previous home matches in the knockout stage of this season’s Europa League were also moved to Moscow.
A Chelsea statement said: “UEFA are of the opinion Rubin Kazan’s home ground cannot guarantee the best possible conditions.”
