Tottenham and Rennes await UEFA verdict as game is cancelled

Tottenham’s postponed Europa Conference League group game with Rennes will not be rearranged, UEFA announced on Saturday.

European football’s governing body indicated a new date for the game could not be agreed upon by the two clubs, after COVID-19 cases in the Spurs camp caused a call-off on Thursday’s fixture.

It remains to be seen what UEFA rules, with Tottenham having needed a win from the Rennes game to reach the knockout stage. Rennes sit top of Group G, after three wins and two draws from their five games. All other group-stage games have been completed.

In a statement, UEFA said it had been in contact with Tottenham and Rennes in an effort “to find a viable solution in order to reschedule the match”.

“Unfortunately, despite all efforts, a solution that could work for both clubs could not be found,” said UEFA. “As a consequence, the match can no longer be played and the matter will, therefore, be referred to the UEFA control, ethics and disciplinary body for a decision to be taken in accordance with annex J of the above-mentioned competition regulations.”

This section of regulations states that in the case of it being not possible to reschedule a game by a specific deadline – in this case, December 31 is the specified cut-off – UEFA may impose sanctions.

The UEFA guidelines state: “If it is not possible to reschedule the match within the final deadline… the club that cannot play the match will be held responsible for the match not taking place and the match will be declared by the UEFA control, ethics and disciplinary body to be forfeited by the club, which will be considered to have lost it by 3-0.”

The same section of regulations states: “Moreover, the UEFA control, ethics and disciplinary body may take further disciplinary measures if the circumstances so justify.”

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte said in midweek that eight players and five members of staff at Tottenham had contracted the virus in what he labelled a “serious problem”.

Surplus food intended for the Rennes match has been donated to @felixprojectuk to distribute free meals to those in need locally. pic.twitter.com/c0eAtDDzX1

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 10, 2021

Rennes released a statement claiming Tottenham had made a “unilateral” decision to postpone Thursday’s clash without UEFA ratification, although the governing body later confirmed the postponement to the French club.

Rennes have two Ligue 1 matches and one Coupe de France game before they take a break over Christmas, resuming their season on January 8.

Spurs’ Premier League game against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday has also been postponed because of the outbreak. Unlike Rennes, they are due to play through the Christmas period.

The draw for the knockout round play-off draw is due to take place on Monday, featuring the eight runners-up from the Europa Conference League group stage and the eight third-placed teams from the Europa League group stage. One seeded place remains unresolved ahead of that draw.

Tottenham sit three points behind Dutch side Vitesse in Group G of the Conference League, as UEFA moves to bring finality to the situation.