Chelsea forced to release club statement 15 minutes into Premier League opener

Chelsea apologised to their own fans as there were issues with their new digital ticketing system.

Thousands of fans faced long queues outside Stamford Bridge as there were widespread issues with their app.

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Users reported that their tickets had disappeared from the app shortly before kick-off.

Supporters had been urged to arrive at Stamford Bridge early prior to their game with Crystal Palace.

This was partly due to their Club World Cup victory celebrations, as well as the new digital ticketing system.

One fan said on X: “Total chaos at Chelsea today. No tickets are working, and the queue at the ticket office stretches forever. Absolute shambles.”

Another added: “The fact people can’t get into the stadium due to tickets is a disgrace, is that why Chelsea told fans to get there early.”

A third added: “Check your app, some of our lot have had their tickets vanish from the app in the past 20 mins even though were activated yesterday.”

It seems as though the issues were sorted with the match kicking off at 2pm as planned.

Chelsea then later apologised to their supporters for the incident.

In a statement, Chelsea said: “The club is aware there were some issues with the ticketing system for approximately 30 minutes, between 12.30pm and 1pm, before today’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace.

“We will do everything we can to ensure this does not happen again. We apologise to supporters who were affected by this and thank them for their patience.

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“The issue was resolved, and all ticketed supporters were admitted to the stadium safely in time for kick-off.”

On the pitch, Jamie Gittens made his debut for Chelsea as Enzo Maresca named his first starting XI of the new season.

The Blues were given a reprieve early on as Crystal Palace saw a goal controversially disallowed.

Eberechi Eze smashed a free-kick past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, only for VAR to intervene.

Initial replays appeared to show Marc Guehi had fouled Moises Caicedo, which is also what was displayed on the screen inside Stamford Bridge.

However, it later emerged that it was disallowed because Guehi was within one metre of the wall.