Rubin Kazan switch Europa League tie against Chelsea to Moscow

The move will make the tie closer to London

Rafael Benitez takes a Chelsea training session (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea's Europa League quarter-final tie against Rubin Kazan will take place at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, UEFA has ruled.

It follows a pitch inspection in Kazan and comes despite the Russian club insisting their home pitch will be suitable for the meeting on Thursday, April 11.

Rubin's two previous home matches in the knockout stage of this season's Europa League were also in Moscow.

A statement on Chelsea's website said: "Following a pitch inspection in Kazan, UEFA are of the opinion the pitch and climate conditions at the Tsentrainiy Stadium, Rubin Kazan's home ground, cannot guarantee the best possible conditions."

PA