Europa League: Tottenham’s game called off after COVID-19 outbreak
Opponents Rennes criticise the move to cancel the match, may appeal UEFA
London: Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa Conference League home game against Stade Rennes on Thursday has been called off after a number of positive COVID-19 cases at the club.
“We can confirm that our UEFA Europa Conference League Group G home fixture against Stade Rennais will not take place tomorrow after a number of positive COVID-19 cases at the club, the statement read,” Tottenham said in a statement on Wednesday night.
“Discussions are ongoing with UEFA and we shall provide a further update on this fixture in due course.Additionally, the club has been advised to close the first team area of its training centre at this time, in the interests of the health and safety of players and staff,” it added.
After this postponement, Tottenham’s match against Brighton on Sunday in the Premier League is believed to be under review.
Following Spurs’ league game against Brighton, they face Leicester City on December 16 and Liverpool on December 19, before an EFL Cup quarter-final against West Ham on 22 December.
Meanwhile, Rennes criticised the move, saying they “reserve the right” to appeal against the decision to UEFA.
“This lack of fair play is all the more glaring as Tottenham had confirmed by email that the match would be held at the start of the afternoon before warning Rennes of their intention not to play just after landing in London,” the club said.
Now, UEFA could order the game to be re-arranged, although with a December 31 deadline for the group stage to be finished, finding an alternative date will not be easy.