30.09.2020 15:11 h

Portugal limit fan numbers at Spain, Sweden friendlies

A limited number of fans will be allowed to attend Portugal friendlies with Spain and Sweden, the country's football federation (FPF) said on Tuesday.

The decision was taken after consultations with the government and health authorities the FPF said.

Lisbon's Jose Alvalade Stadium will operate at five percent of capacity for the match with Spain on October 7, with that percentage rising to 10 percent for the match with Sweden a week later.

The Jose Alvalade stadium has a capacity of almost 50,000 spectators and is the home of Sporting Lisbon.

The two matches will serve as a test run to assess the possibility of fans attending domestic matches, with the FPF planning to submit a report on the games to the Portuguese health authorities.

On Tuesday, the country's football league announced a test match at the weekend in the Azores islands, which will be the first game in front of spectators since the coronavirus pandemic shut football down in March.

The clash between Santa Clara and Gil Vicente in the third round of the 2020/21 Primeira Liga season, will be played at the Sao Miguel stadium in the presence of around 1,000 spectators, or 10 percent of the stadium's capacity.