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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

Tottenham booted out of Europa Conference League by UEFA after Rennes forfeit

Tottenham Hotspur have been eliminated from the Europa Conference League after their final group game was awarded as a Spurs forfeit and a 3-0 victory to Rennes.

A Covid outbreak meant the Premier League side was unable to fulfil its final fixture against their French opponents, and an alternative date had not been found.

The result means Spurs finish third in their group and their European run has come to an end as a result.

Antonio Conte's team had made the request to have the game postponed after Covid cases in their squad continued to pile up in the days leading up to the game, confirming a decision had been reached on the eve of the game.

Rennes had initially refused to recognise Spurs' statement regarding the postponement of the match, but the decision was later confirmed by Uefa..

Efforts to find a new date for the game proved unsuccessful, and Uefa have reached their decision after confirming the game would not be played.

What is your view on the Spurs decision? Let us know in the comments section

MARIBOR, SLOVENIA - 2021/11/25: Antonio Conte, head coach of Tottenham Hotspur speaks to the media after the UEFA Europa Conference League group G match between NS Mura and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadion Ljudski Vrt. (Final score; NS Mura 2:1Tottenham Hotspur). (Photo by Milos Vujinovic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) (Milos Vujinovic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

"Following several positive cases of COVID-19 that were identified from players and staff of Tottenham Hotspur FC, the 2021/22 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Stade Rennais FC - scheduled to be played on 9 December 2021 in London, United Kingdom – could not be played," a statement from Uefa read.

"The matter was submitted to the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, for a decision to be taken in accordance with Annex J of the Regulations of the UEFA Europa Conference League (2021/22 Season).

"Based on the Article 30 (4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and given the urgent circumstances of the matter, the ad-hoc chairman of the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body referred the case to the Appeals Body."

"The Chairman of the UEFA Appeals Body took the following decision: To declare the 2021/22 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Stade Rennais FC, that was initially scheduled to be played on 9 December 2021, as forfeited by Tottenham Hotspur FC, who is therefore deemed to have lost the match 0-3 in accordance with Annex J.3.1 to the Regulations of the UEFA Europa Conference League (2021/22 Season)."

Tottenham had picked up seven points from their first five group games, and needed a win in the match against Rennes to claim second place in their group.

With the decision from Uefa, Antonio Conte's side have finished third behind Vitesse and their European journey has come to an end.

"We are disappointed by the ruling of the UEFA Appeals Body & the refusal to allow more time for the match to be rescheduled," a spokesperson for the Premier League club said.

"We have to accept this ruling, however, & our focus now turns to the competitions we remain in."

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