The city of Philadelphia today announced a ban on large public gatherings that extends until February of 2021. That includes the rescheduled Broad Street Run, Thanksgiving Parade, and Mummers Parade.

There was some confusion initially on whether the Eagles and other sports teams would be exempt from that ruling, though when asked about it today, city officials said that fans would NOT be allowed at Lincoln Financial Field or Citizens Bank Park.

Transcribed by the Philadelphia Inquirer:

”I do think that games can be played with the kind of safety precautions that they’re proposing. I do not think that they can have spectators at those games. There’s no way for them to be safe having a crowd there,” (Health Commissioner Thomas) Farley said. “I can’t say what the plans are for the league, but from a safety perspective, they can play games but not [have] crowds.”

“The Eagles are still going to be allowed to play, although without crowds. The Phillies will continue to be allowed to play, although without crowds,” Managing Director Brian Abernathy said.

Abernathy said NFL guidelines also “remind teams that local authorities have the ability to ban fans, so I don’t expect any issues.”

“We have been in communication with the Eagles. We have told them our expectations are that they don’t have fans,” Albernathy (sic) said.

Well that blows.

Here’s more from Farley:

“If they do, there would not be any fans there.” 

It sounds like that’s what he’s saying, if I’m hearing that last part correctly.

This all seems slightly confusing, because Mayor Kenney earlier tweeted that events on private property, like venues and stadiums, would be exempt from the new ruling, but I guess what we’re discovering now is that they will allow those events to take place, but will simply disallow fans from attending. The Eagles, for what it’s worth, did not say anything yet about games specifically, but tweeted that the annual Autism Challenge will be held virtually, as a result of today’s guidelines mandated by the city.

Maybe we’ll be some stone cold, 100% clarification here moving forward.