Why Slavia Prague's stadium won't be full when they face Chelsea in the Europa League

Chelsea won't face the full force of the 21,000 seater Eden Arena this evening after Uefa ordered a part closure of Slavia Prague's stadium for four different charges in their last 32 tie against Genk

Three sections of the end behind one of the goals where the side's more vocal fans are usually located will be closed while the Czech side were also handed a €32,000 fine for the disturbances.

Fans set off fireworks, threw objects, including cups and batteries, and blocked stairways in their 0-0 draw on February 14.

Prague's club president, Jaroslav Tvrdik, asked to attend their press conference at the Eden Arena on Wednesday to address the closure and urge those fans attending the game to support the team while outline his hopes that the game will pass without incident.

The sections of the stand that have been closed have instead been covered with banners of club legends Josef Bican and Frantisek Vesely which will see the capacity of the stadium reduced to 17,800 for this evening's quarter-final tie.

Speaking about the part-closure, Tvrdik said: "This is very difficult, because the fans who weren't able to get to the stands are very angry.

"Everybody thinks we can do something special for them. I'm really, really sorry about this.

The part of the Eden Arena stadium that will be closed this evening against Chelsea "I've had about 150 phone calls and text messages. It's the match of the decade and the fact people are not able to be there is very sad.

"I am very optimistic we are on the same page that there is zero tolerance to the things I have stated tomorrow and that the match tomorrow will pass off without incident.

"Tomorrow I hope we'll have an opportunity to show everybody that we deserve our place.

"We will look to equip the stadium with facial recognition cameras (in future) and we may ban people who cause trouble.

"I hope that everything will go well and we'll be able to enjoy the match tomorrow. Our players will be playing behind covered stands for the very first time.

"I would like to urge all the fans to support their team and players to show that our team is big and international and also that we have big international fans.

Slavia Prague's players take part in a training session at the Eden Arena (Image: MICHAL CIZEK/AFP/Getty Images) "In the three years I've been working with the club we are in this situation for the first time.

"We will do everything we can to make sure football at this stadium is safe.

"I am positive it will not just be a one-time thing and it will be more than just the match against Chelsea."

Source:News Now.