C/League final: Fans set to return to Istanbul Olympic Stadium

This season’s Champions League final is set to be played out in front of thousands of fans, Sportsmail has learned.

Talks are at an advanced stage, and sources have disclosed around ‘30 to 50 per cent’ of Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium is set to be occupied for the May 29 showpiece.

The prospect of the fixture being moved had been raised, amid fears it would be unlikely to generate sufficient revenue to make it worthwhile for the host.

However, discussions with the Turkish government are ongoing and it is understood that between 22,500 and 37,500 fans may be permitted entry.

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The likelihood of tickets going to each of the two qualifying clubs is small, but has not yet been ruled out. Should tickets only be sold to locals, the number allowed to watch the game is likely to be closer to 50 per cent of the 75,415-capacity, rather than 30 per cent.

The stadium was due to host last year’s Champions League final until the outbreak of coronavirus triggered a rethink and the fixture was shifted to Lisbon