UEFA have now confirmed Tottenham’s Europa Conference League match with Rennes is OFF – and will be rearranged.
Antonio Conte revealed Spurs have 13 positive Covid cases – eight players and five members of staff – which left them with just ELEVEN fit senior players.
And after talks with Health Security Agency and the Government on Wednesday night, Tottenham announced the Group G clash was postponed, with the club’s Hotspur Way training ground closed.
But French rivals Rennes – who had already touched down in London – insisted the game was NOT off until Uefa said so.
And European football’s governing body initially said the game would go on, meaning Tottenham faced being dumped out of Europe if they forfeited the match.
Uefa were quoted: “The match is due to take place as scheduled.
“For further information regarding Tottenham’s COVID situation, please contact the club.
“We have no other comment to make at this stage.”
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Rennes added in a statement: “In a video conference at 7.45 p.m. between representatives of UEFA, Tottenham and SRFC, the Spurs director of football announced her intention not to play the UEFA Europa Conference League game.
“Thursday evening. Unilateral decision which has not been confirmed by UEFA in any way.
“The Tottenham representative did not want to announce the number of her players affected by the Covid when the rule states that a match must be played as long as the team has 13 outfielders and a keeper.
“She argued for a decision by the English authorities without advancing any official document.
“As the match was not officially canceled by UEFA, Stade Rennais FC upheld their decision to play.
“Faced with this “London fog”, the SRFC reserves the right to approach 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 their landing in London City.”
But confusingly, a follow up statement from Uefa confirmed the game is in fact postponed, ending the argument there.
They stated: “We can confirm that the match Tottenham-Rennes will not take place tonight. Further info will follow in due course.”
Spurs’ Premier League fixture against Brighton at the Amex on Sunday will also be in doubt.
It followed as Conte said he was ‘scared’ and ‘upset’ as the virus reaching breaking point.
