Spurs Dumped Out Of Europa Conference League After UEFA Ruling
The English side have seen their continental commitments for 2021-22 brought to a close with a 3-0 win awarded to opponents Rennes by UEFA.
Spurs were supposed to face Stade Rennais in London in the last group stage game on Thursday, December 9. A win would have allowed Spurs to qualify for the knockout round play-off.
Twenty-four hours before their final group game against the French club on December 9, Spurs decided the match could not go ahead after eight players and five members of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
Rennes, who had already travelled to London, accused Spurs of making a “unilateral decision” and a “lack of fair play”.
Spurs were desperate to reschedule but, after talks with both clubs, UEFA revealed the fixture could not go ahead after being unable to find a suitable date before the December 31 deadline.
A statement from UEFA read: “Following several positive cases of Covid-19 that were identified from players and staff of Tottenham Hotspur, the 2021/22 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match between Spurs and Stade Rennais could not be played.
“Based on the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and given the urgent circumstances of the matter, the ad-hoc chairman of the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body referred the case to the Appeals Body. The chairman took the following decision:
“To declare the 2021/22 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match between Tottenham Hotspur and Stade Rennais, as forfeited by Spurs who is therefore deemed to have lost the match 0-3.”
The decision was made by the UEFA Appeals Body, which leaves Spurs with no recourse to appeal through UEFA and the club reluctantly accepted the decision.
A Tottenham spokesperson said: “We are disappointed by the ruling of the UEFA Appeals Body and the refusal to allow more time for the match to be rescheduled.
“We have to accept this ruling, however, and our focus now turns to the competitions we remain in.
ThIs now means that Spurs will finish third in Group G, ending their continental commitments for 2021-22 with no spot earned in the Europa Conference League knockout round play-offs
