Tottenham’s game against Rennes in the Europa Conference League on Thursday has been called off following an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Spurs squad. After a number of playing and coaching staff were struck down with the virus, it was decided that the match could not go ahead, and it has now been postponed.
A statement from Tottenham released on Wednesday evening read: “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.”
He said: “The situation makes me very upset because the situation is serious.
“It’s contagious and there is a big infection. Now we are a bit scared because tomorrow we don’t know what will happen.
“Tomorrow, who? Me? I don’t know. Better me than a player for sure. It is not right for everyone because we have contact with our family when we come back home.
“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.”
It also now appears highly likely that Spurs’ Premier League clash against Brighton, which is set for Sunday, will also have to be postponed.
And with a busy Christmas period coming up, Covid is looked set to wreak havoc with the fixture calendar once more.
After Brighton, Spurs are due to face Leicester on Thursday December 16.
It has been reported that eight first-team players and five staff in total have tested positive for coronavirus.
And the immediate priority will be on them all making a full recovery as the pandemic affects sport once more.