Chelsea closer to Stamford Bridge upgrade

Chelsea have overcome the latest hurdle to redeveloping its Stamford Bridge stadium and allowing the Premier League leaders to catch up with London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham.

Chelsea says in a statement Wednesday that the local authority's planning committee has given permission for the redevelopment to go ahead.

Chelsea has decided to turn its existing home into a 60,000-seater stadium rather than relocating in west London.

That will eventually give Chelsea a similar capacity to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and the new venue for Tottenham being built next to its current White Hart Lane home.