Tottenham Hotspur is dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak within its squad. Players and coaching staff have tested positive, resulting in UEFA calling off Spurs’ Conference League against Stade Rennais.
Antonio Conte’s squad needs a victory against Rennes, who are already assured of finishing top of the group if they hope to qualify for the round of 32, so the match needs to occur.
Nonetheless, during his press conference with the media, where The Mirror relayed his comments, Conte stated that the latest developments make it hard to predict when the match can happen.
“I think this is a serious problem, and it’s a pity because, during the press conference, I’d like to talk about football and the next game and not about Covid,” Conte said. “But the situation is serious. Everyday we are having positives. Today one player and one member of staff.”
“I think the worst is we don’t know, and we continue to have contact with people that the day before weren’t negative. For sure, this is not a good situation. We have a training session to prepare for the game against Rennes, but it’s very difficult.”
All European group stage matches need to be concluded by the end of 2021; with Tottenham already facing a hectic festive schedule, there’s little room to reschedule the Conference League match. If the north London-based club can’t find a window, then a forfeit becomes the likely outcome.
There’s no word at the moment if Tottenham’s Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion FC will suffer the same fate and be postponed.
I’m starting to feel the same sentiment. We get eliminated from this rubbish tournament without losing this final group game. It’s different to losing the game and it affecting confidence and generating negativity. We can those focus on the PL.
Forfeit please!