Sevilla request UEFA Cup date switch

Sevilla have asked UEFA to switch the date of their UEFA Cup tie against Tottenham.

The Cup holders are due to meet Martin Jol’s men on April 5 in the first leg of their last-eight clash but that date coincides with the first day of a major religious festival in the city.

Over one million people are expected in Seville to take part and the local authorities feel it would be wise to avoid a clash with a major sporting event.

Sevilla have backed the council’s move with a club spokesman saying: “It is not that we have asked for it, we have backed the local and national authorities to request the change of date and we have also informed Tottenham.

“It’s all down to security reasons.

“We have asked the Spanish Football Federation to request a new date from UEFA.”