Derry City will resume their League of Ireland campaign behind-closed-doors.
The move was confirmed by the Derry City & Strabane District Council today ahead of Friday’s home clash with Sligo Rovers.
On the same day, 500 fans will attend the IFA Cup final between Glentoran and Ballymena United at Windsor Park in Belfast.
It follows the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland with a limited number of spectators allowed at outdoor sporting events.
But the Ryan McBride Brandywell in Derry will remain closed to fans although the council says it will review the situation on a “daily basis”.
A Council official said the decision to play behind-closed-doors was taken "in accordance with FAI and Government guidance relating to numbers".
It had been hoped that 500 fans would be allowed into League of Ireland games when the season resumes on Friday.
But fans remain locked out after the Government here delayed Phase 4 of reopening the country until August 10.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin today said the matter was under constant review as virus rates were “stabilising”.
He said: “The GAA and other sporting bodies have been lobbying effectively and strongly and we will try and respond in a positive but safe way.
“There is ongoing engagement between NPHET and an expert sporting group in relation to this. I’m very conscious of this and spoke to the CMO last week.
“When we deferred the reopening of Phase 4, we had to do it on an absolute basis across the board.
“That was an important step at the time to try and check the spread of the virus and to stabilise the situation.
“The evidence so far is that the situation has indeed been stabilised.
“As the knowledge of the virus involves, I think it is fair to say that lumping outdoor with indoor isn’t perhaps the optimal approach.
“What is clear is that the virus in indoor settings is very lethal. There has to be a particular focus on indoor activity and behaviour. Outdoor behaviour is different.”
And the Taoiseach continued: “I didn’t expect that the players and mentors would be included in the 200, that really reduced it down.”
