Berlin rejects German Cup final fans request

Earlier in the day the German football association (DFB) said they hoped up to 1,000 fans could be allowed into the capital city's Olympic Stadium when holders Bayern Munich host Bayer Leverkusen on 4 July.

The ground has a capacity of 75 000 but all football matches have been played behind closed doors since the Bundesliga resumed in mid-May.

"The response to our request was negative," the DFB said.

"The rules currently in place in Berlin mean that any gathering of more than 1 000 in the capital is forbidden until August 31," it added.

The numbers are limited to playing staff, coaches, club officials, media and match officials with fans locked out.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government wants to ban events with large crowds until at least the end of October over fears of renewed transmission of the coronavirus, according to an official draft seen by AFP.