BLACKBURN Rovers' Worthington Cup triumph was the first domestic soccer showpiece to be played indoors.

Officials made the decision to close the Millennium Stadium's massive roof in Cardiff hours before the kick-off as rain set in.

Both Rovers and Spurs had earlier given their consent to the final being played undercover.

Football League head of communications John Nagle said: "It was felt to be in the best interests of the game and spectator comfort if we closed the roof."

For safety reasons the roof, which weighs 8,000 tons, could not be closed once fans had started entering the stadium - so a decision was made three hours before kick-off.

There was controversy earlier this month when the operators of the Amsterdam Arena refused a request from England to close the roof for their friendly with Holland.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's side are due to face Argentina undercover at Sapporo in Japan in the World Cup finals.