Earls Court not an option

Last updated : 20 January 2006 By Paul Lagan
Chelsea have denied that they are looking to move away from Stamford Bridge and are instead seeking to increase its capacity to over 50,000, writes the BBC.

Reports on Thursday suggested that the Blues were planning buy Earls Court Exhibition Centre in a £400m deal and build a 65,000-seater stadium.

"We'd like to increase the capacity at the Bridge and take it over 50,000," said a club spokesperson.

"There are constraints on our current site, which are well documented."

The spokesperson added: "There has been speculation linking us with a whole variety of sites in London including Wembley, the Olympic Stadium at Stratford, White City, Battersea Power Station, Earls Court, Chelsea barracks and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

"Whether these sites are available, or not available, is irrelevant."

It is also understood that if the Earls Court and Olympia complex is purchased then it must remain a conference and exhibition centre.

St James Capital put the 36-acre Earls Court and Olympia site up for sale in December for £400m.