A condition for that to happen, however, would be that Abramovich - one of Russia's richest people and believed to be close to the country's president, Vladimir Putin - receives none of the proceeds.

The special licence granted by the government will allow fixtures to be fulfilled, staff to be paid and existing ticket-holders to attend matches.

Chelsea, however, cannot receive money for match tickets which have not already been sold, future gate receipts for FA Cup games or money from merchandise sold via the club shop.

The European champions will also be unable to buy or sell players, or offer new contracts, while the sanctions are in place on Abramovich and he still owns the club.

An amendment to the licence has been granted by the government, allowing Chelsea to spend up to £900,000 on costs for home games, up from the £500,000 set on Thursday. 

The allowable away costs of travel, however, remain at £20,000 per game.

A statement from the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee confirming the changes to the licence also welcomed the league's move to disqualify Abramovich as a club director.

"The government has made clear that we need to hold to account those who have enabled the Putin regime," the DCMS statement said.