The tea towel is burning between Stade Rennais and Tottenham. Faced with several cases of Covid in its workforce, the London club communicated this Wednesday evening its intention not to play the Europa League Conference match this Thursday against the Red and Black. Around 9 p.m. this Wednesday, the Spurs indicated that they were seeking a solution with UEFA for a postponement of the meeting.
A delaration which did not please the leaders of Rennes at all. In a statement, the club denounces the “flagrant lack of fair play” of the London club. “Following the press release published by Tottenham at 9 p.m. this Wednesday, Stade Rennais FC wishes to clarify the following facts, writes the club. In a video conference at 7.45 p.m. between representatives of UEFA, Tottenham and SRFC, the Spurs director of football announced her intention not to play the UEFA Europa Conference League game. Thursday evening. Unilateral decision which has not been confirmed by UEFA in any way.“
The club continues: “The Tottenham representative did not want to announce the number of her players affected by the Covid while the rule states that a game must be played as long as the team has 13 outfielders and a keeper. She argued for a decision by the English authorities without advancing any official document. As the match was not officially canceled by UEFA, Stade Rennais FC upheld their decision to play. Faced with this “London fog”, the SRFC reserves the right to approach UEFA. This lack of fair play is all the more glaring as Tottenham had confirmed by email that the match would be held at the start of the afternoon before warning Rennes of their intention not to play just after their landing in London.“
An about-face that really does not do the business of Rennes, who traveled for nothing a few days from a capital match against Nice in Ligue 1. According to UEFA rules, if the match is postponed, it must be before 31 December. In the state of the French and English calendars, it is difficult to imagine such a scenario by the end of the calendar year. There remains the possibility of a package from Tottenham. The ball is in UEFA’s court.