Tottenham Covid crisis sees Europa Conference clash postponed
- Michael Graham
- 9 December 2021
A coronavirus outbreak means Tottenham's game on Thursday won't go ahead as scheduled.
Tottenham's game against Rennes in the Europa Conference has been postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis at the club.
Spurs were due to play the Ligue 1 side on Thursday night but eight players and five memebrs of staff have tested positive for the virus.
A club statement said: "We can confirm that our UEFA Europa Conference League Group G home fixture against Stade Rennais will not take place tomorrow (Thursday 9 December at 8pm UK) after a number of positive Covid-19 cases at the club.
"Discussions are ongoing with UEFA and we shall provide a further update on this fixture in due course.
"Additionally, following discussions with the Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England) and DCMS advisers, 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. All other areas of the training centre remain operational."
An emotional Antonio Conte admitted the situation was "so strange and incredible".
The Italian added: "This for sure makes me upset because I am here to talk about football, about my players and the atmosphere that I want to see tomorrow. Instead we are talking about the people that have Covid."
Conte was not able to confirm whether it was the Omicron variant at the centre of the outbreak but revealed he had been vaccinated.
On vaccination take-up within the squad, the Spurs boss added: "I think everyone takes (their own) best decision and is a question for the medical department about people whether they are vaccinated or not."
