MADRID, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Just 24 hours after opening up the possibility that there could be around 15,000 fans in the two finals of the Spanish Copa del Rey knockout tournament to be played on April 3 and April 17, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has made a U-turn to confirm that no fans will be present at the games.

The RFEF had cited representatives of Athletic Club Bilbao and Real Sociedad (who will play on April 3rd) to a meeting on Thursday to discuss the possibility of allowing supporters into the stands of the 'La Cartuja' Stadium in Seville (southern Spain).

However, the organization has now issued a statement to say the match (originally postponed from April 2020 due to the pandemic) between the two sides from the Basque region in northern Spain will now be held behind closed doors, due to ongoing limits on travel within Spain.

"The current situation with the (coronavirus) epidemic and the measures in place which mean that perimeters are closed both for the Community of Andalusia and the province of Seville, make it inviable for supporters not resident in the province to travel to see the game."

"We have informed both clubs of this and they have said they will accept any decision taken by the RFEF," reads the statement, adding that the match "will be carried out without public in the stands of La Cartuja."

Both the Basque regional government and the Spanish Health Ministry on Wednesday had expressed their opposition to allowing fans into La Cartuja during the ongoing pandemic. Enditem

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