Spurs in talks with Premier League over Brighton game after Covid outbreak
Tottenham have been rocked by a Covid outbreak in their dressing room, undermining Antonio Conte’s plans for the decisive Europa Conference League tie at home to Rennes on Thursday night and raising questions as to whether the Premier League game at Brighton on Sunday can go ahead.
It is understood that at least half a dozen first-team players have been affected – plus members of the coaching staff – and it has seen the club open talks with the league over the viability of the Brighton fixture.
Spurs must already rearrange their trip to Burnley after it was snowed off on the Sunday before last and it is in nobody’s interests to have another postponement, particularly with the December schedule so crowded. Spurs, though, would not want to be at a disadvantage at Brighton and the coming days stand to be tense. Players who test positive must isolate for 10 days in line with government advice.
Conte took training on Tuesday morning and Uefa has said that the Rennes tie “is due to take place as scheduled.” According to its rules, as long as a club has at least 13 senior players available – including at least one goalkeeper – games must go ahead.
Spurs are chasing the runners-up spot in Group G, which would bring a play-off for the last 16 against a team that drop down from the Europa League. They need to match Vitesse’s result at home to NS Mura and make sure that their goal difference remains superior to that of the Dutch club.
The Premier League postponed six matches last season – from early December to mid-January – because of Covid cases and its criteria to do so would appear more flexible than those of Uefa. Conte has cancelled the in-person element of his pre-Rennes media conference as a precaution.
Chelsea’s MateoKovacic returned a positive Covid test on Tuesday and last week the Premier League confirmed 12 positive results among players and staff – the highest figure since August.