Stockholm  - Last ditch efforts were underway Monday to transfer the upcoming Davis Cup tie between Sweden and Israel from the southern city Malmo to Stockholm.

Chances were regarded as slim that this could take place. Malmo city council's board for leisure, recreation and sport activities voted last Wednesday that the March 6-8 tie would be played without any paying spectators, citing security concerns.

The city of Stockholm over the weekend offered to host the event with paying spectators but such a transfer of venue hinges on approval from the International Tennis Federation and other authorities, the Swedish Tennis Federation said Monday.

"From a sports point of view it would be fun to offer spectators a top class event, and it is more fun for our team to play with spectators in the stands," Henrik Kallen, secretary general of the Swedish Tennis Federation, said in a statement.

The Davis Cup match has been classified as a high-risk event over potential protests by groups wanting to protest against the recent Israeli offensive against Hamas in Gaza.

The Baltic Hall venue in Malmo has a capacity to seat some 4,000 people. The cancelled ticket sales mean that Malmo city will have to face extra costs of some 3 million kronor (365,000 dollars). (dpa)