Avram Grant’s turbulent reign at Chelsea entered into fresh chaos last night when doubts emerged over whether he will be able to take his place on the touchline for next week’s Champions League match against Valencia. As The Times revealed on Saturday, the Israeli coach does not possess a Uefa Pro Licence and that could prevent him doing his job in continental competition.

Chelsea have a 12-week window in which to convince the Premier League to make an exception for Grant, with the club emphasising his decades of coaching experience and his former position as coach of Israel, but Uefa offers no facility for such special dispensation. Middlesbrough have not been granted a Uefa licence for this season because their manager, Gareth Southgate, does not have a Pro Licence but as they did not qualify for any Uefa competitions, it has not hindered them.

Chelsea’s participation in the Champions League is not in doubt, but Grant’s ability to do his job properly could be. Uefa has the power to make Grant retreat to the stands, although it is more likely to agree to an uneasy compromise in which he sits on the bench without managing the team. This would mean Grant relaying instructions to Steve Clarke, who does have a Pro Licence, with the assistant manager passing them to the players. There are also doubts about whether the Israeli FA will support Grant’s fast-track application for a licence.

Chelsea did at least attempt to give something back to their supporters at the end of the most turbulent few days in their recent history yesterday by reducing ticket prices on the instruction of Roman Abramovich, the club’s owner.

Only 24,973 fans turned up for the Champions League match against Rosenborg on Tuesday last week, with the small crowd adding to the feeling of crisis engulfing the club that culminated in José Mourinho’s departure the next day. Abramovich discussed the attendance with Eugene Tenenbaum, his leading aide, eight days ago before the meeting that sealed Mourinho’s fate and the pair concluded that something had to be done.

Chelsea have reacted promptly by cutting ticket prices to £25 for adults and £12 for children for the club’s two remaining Champions League home group matches, against Schalke 04 and Valencia.

Chelsea had already reduced prices from £45 to £36 for the visit of Rosenborg and were shocked to attract their worst crowd for more than four years, since MSK Zilina went to Stamford Bridge for a Champions League third qualifying round tie trailing 2-0 from the first leg.

Chelsea’s problems were set in an even harsher light when Arsenal attracted more than 60,000 to see what was effectively a reserve side beat Newcastle United in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, although they had also reduced prices to £20 and £10.

Chelsea are also hoping to move to a 60,000-seat stadium as there is no scope for development at Stamford Bridge, with the club aiming to identify a new site by next year.