New Delhi | Tottenham Hotspur have been knocked out of the Europa Conference League (ECL) by UEFA after the English club was unable to stage the final group match of the ECL against Rennais. The news comes as a huge blow for the London-based club as they will now have to do without European football post-Christmas.
A statement released by UEFA read, “'Following several positive cases of COVID-19 that were identified from players and staff of Tottenham Hotspur FC, the 2021/22 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Stade Rennais FC - scheduled to be played on 9 December 2021 in London, United Kingdom – could not be played. The matter was submitted to the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, for a decision to be taken in accordance with Annex J of the Regulations of the UEFA Europa Conference League (2021/22 Season).”
UEFA have now penalised Spurs and sanctioned a 3-0 defeat to their name. This, therefore, means that Spurs will not add to their tally of seven points from five matches, while already qualified as group winners Rennais will end the group stage campaign on 14 points. Second-placed Vittesse have ended their campaign on 10 points and have now finished second to carry their European journey.
Antonio Conte’s side was considered as one of the favourites to win the competition as they had tons of experience and international stars in their squad. In the end, Spurs will have only themselves to blame as after they took the early stage of the group phase in a casual approach. Spurs were unable to win any of their away games in the group stages while a forfeit in the final game now means they will have to depend on the FA Cup and EFL Cup for any chance of silverware.
Spurs were involved in a frantic 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday as Harry Kane and Son-Hueng-Min both scored to keep Spurs' unbeaten run under Conte on. They will next be next in action against West Ham in the EFL Cup while Boxing Day fixtures await after Christmas.
