The match will ultimately not be rescheduled. The Europa League Conference meeting between Tottenham and Stade Rennes, which was to be held Thursday, December 9 in London and which was postponed due to cases of Covid-19 within the English team, will not take place, a announced on Saturday 11 December the European Union of Football Associations (UEFA).
“Unfortunately, and despite all efforts, a solution which could suit both clubs could not be found”, explained a spokesperson for UEFA to Agence France-Presse, specifying that the result of this group match would be determined by its supervisory and disciplinary body. Rennes, leader of the group, has already qualified for the round of 16, Tottenham had to win to snatch second place, synonymous with play-offs, at the Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem.
The London club could lose the meeting 3-0 on the green carpet, as provided for in the UEFA regulations for European competitions, adapted to the pandemic since the 2020-2021 season. This is the case if the team withdraws due to the inability to line up. “At least thirteen players” including a goalkeeper, because a large part of his squad is ill or in quarantine, or if he is judged “Responsible for the non-progress of a match”.
Stade Rennes “takes note” of the decision
In a press release, Stade Rennes FC “Takes note” of the UEFA decision. “In the absence of a possible postponement, the UEFA Europa Conference League Tottenham / SRFC meeting will not take place. In compliance with the regulations, the club are now awaiting the final decision of the UEFA control, ethics and discipline body, which will meet next week ”, let the Breton club know. For their part, Tottenham takes up the UEFA statement, simply specifying that the club will continue “To inform its supporters of the evolution of the situation”.
Sign that the current outbreak of contamination by the coronavirus is catching up with European football, eight players and five members of the Tottenham team are positive, while Leicester had to go to Naples in the Europa League without seven of its players.
UEFA had to announce Thursday morning the postponement of the meeting, forcing Rennes to take the way home after an unnecessary trip. Finding a postponement date looked complicated, with Tottenham having six domestic fixtures to play by December 28. A defeat on the green carpet would lead to the elimination of the London club from the Europa League Conference.