Chelsea WILL wear Three on their jerseys as Nike are not permitted to provide any new kits

Chelsea are set to continue wearing shirts sponsored by mobile-phone operator Three for the rest of the season due to concerns that removing their logo would look messy and be potentially uncomfortable for the players. 

Three announced they were suspending their £40million-a-year deal with Chelsea on the same day Roman Abramovich was sanctioned three weeks ago and asked for their branding to be removed.

But that request has not proved straightforward, as under the terms of the special government licence the club are operating under kit suppliers Nike are not permitted to provide any new shirts.

Chelsea’s players have worn Three-branded shirts in their four matches since Abramovich was sanctioned, with the club spending the international break attempting to resolve the impasse. 

Sportsmail has learned that all of the solutions have been rejected however, and with the government refusing to relent and permit Nike to supply more shirts Chelsea will be in their usual home kit when Brentford visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

It is understood that a proposal to use a white spray to paint over the logos was rejected as too messy. Covering the logo with tape was also discounted, on the grounds that a thin layer would be see through, whilst a thick tape would make the shirts too heavy and potentially uncomfortable for the players.

Chelsea’s sleeve sponsors Hyundai followed Three by suspending marketing activities on behalf of the club two days later, but did not ask for their logo to be removed. 

Three have been informed about Chelsea’s decision and are resigned to continuing to be associated with the club. 

Chelsea will continue wearing the Three logo on their shirts for the rest of the season

Three announced they were suspending their £40m-a-year deal with Chelsea the same day Roman Abramovich was sanctioned this month and asked for their branding to be removed

The only scenario in which the situation could change before the end of the season is if a sale is completed, which would enable the government to lift the special licence and more shirts to be provided, although with Chelsea in new ownership the sponsors may wish to resume their partnership in any case.

Nike opted to stay with Chelsea and honour a contract worth £900m over 15 years to the club, but Three’s statement issued just hours after Abramovich was sanctioned was unequivocal.

‘In light of the government’s recently announced sanctions, we have requested Chelsea Football Club temporarily suspend our sponsorship of the club, including the removal of our brand from shirts and around the stadium until further notice,’ Three said. 

‘We recognise that this decision will impact the many Chelsea fans who follow their team passionately. However, we feel that given the circumstances, and the government sanction that is in place, it is the right thing to do.’

Two days later Hyundai said that continuing to be associated with Chelsea in the circumstances was incompatible with the company’s values.

‘Hyundai has become one of the strongest partners in football over the years and the company supports the sport to be a force for good,’ their statement read. 

‘Through our partnership with Chelsea FC, we are proud supporters of the players, the fans and grassroots football. However, in the current circumstances, we have taken the decision to suspend our marketing and communication activities with the Club until further notice.’