Tottenham vs Rennes can no longer be played – UEFA
UEFA has ruled that Tottenham’s postponed Europa Conference League match against Rennes cannot be played – throwing the group into chaos.
Spurs’ final group stage tie was postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the club, with Antonio Conte’s side asking for it to be rescheduled, but with a race against time to play it before the December 31 deadline, UEFA have stated it is not possible.
The European governing body have referred the matter to the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body to resolve the issue, with Tottenham forfeiting the game a potential option.
The UEFA statement said: ‘Following a COVID-19 outbreak in the team of Tottenham Hotspur FC ahead of the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match against Stade Rennais FC, scheduled to take place on 9 December 2021 in London, the match could not take place.
‘Unfortunately, despite all efforts, a solution that could work for both clubs could not be found.
‘As a consequence, the match can no longer be played and the matter will, therefore, be referred to the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body for a decision to be taken in accordance with Annex J of the above-mentioned competition regulations.’
The club’s league match against Brighton on Sunday has also been postponed, with the clash against Leicester the week after also at risk of being delayed.
Conte’s men still have to face Leicester, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Southampton in the Premier League this month, plus West Ham in the Carabao Cup on December 22.
The prospect of moving the game against the Hammers appears small given semi-final first legs are scheduled to take place on January 4 and 5.
UEFA had asked Tottenham to suspend a Premier League game – but it remains unclear if either the club or the league would allow such a measure
Tottenham, whose first-team area at the training ground is closed, with players working from home, hope team training can recommence in the next 48 hours, depending on the next round of Covid tests.
