December. 21 (THEWILL) – Tottenham is seeking legal advice after UEFA awarded Rennes a 3-0 win on the final matchday of the Europa Conference League group stage, thereby eliminating Spurs from the competition.
Spurs needed to overcome Rennes on matchday six to have a chance of progressing from the group after losing to Vitesse Arnhem and NS Mura on the road.
Tottenham, however, requested to postpone the game due to a COVID-19 outbreak at their Hotspur Way training ground. However, attempts to reschedule it before UEFA’s deadline of December 31 failed and they were deemed to have forfeited the match, as THEWILL reported.
Spurs are seeking legal counsel owing to missed earnings, but will not challenge their dismissal in court, as club sources are skeptical that any cash will be legally recovered.
Centre-back Davinson Sanchez called UEFA’s decision ‘absolutely unfair’ in an interview recently.
“Having a right to play, it’s not fair on us [for UEFA] to say, ‘OK you’re out of the competition’, knowing that we didn’t play the game because of the Covid cases,” he said.
“We prepared for the game, we were focussed, we were doing everything to play at our ground. The night before we got the news the game was not going to happen. I think it’s unfair for us as a club and our fans.
“We struggled playing away from home but we still had a chance to win the competition, so it’s completely unfair.”
Yet, Spurs’ elimination from Europe improves their chances of domestic triumph. Antonio Conte’s good impact at the club is growing, most notably culminating in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday.
Tottenham are well in the hunt for a top four finish in the Premier League, while they host West Ham in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday and have been drawn at home to League One side Morecambe in the FA Cup.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
