The Europa Conference League between Tottenham Hotspur and Rennes which was postponed due to the outbreak of coronavirus at Tottenham would not be rescheduled according to UEFA.
Instead of rescheduling the match, UEFA has transferred the case to Uefa control, ethics, and disciplinary body to decide on the next course of action over the postponed match.
The Europa Conference League match was supposed to take place on Thursday, December 9, 2021. But had to be postponed because Tottenham Hotspur reported a series of confirmed cases of covid-19.
Less than 48 hours before the time scheduled for the game, Tottenham Hotspur announced that the game has been postponed.
But Rennes countered Spur’s statement stressing that the Premier League club took a “unilateral decision”.
In a statement UEFA released to announce that the postponed match would not be rescheduled, the European football governing body said a solution could not be reached to reschedule the postponed match.
“Unfortunately, despite all efforts, a solution that could work for both clubs could not be found”, a UEFA statement read.
“As a consequence, the match can no longer be played and the matter will, therefore, be referred to the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body for a decision to be taken by Annex J of the above-mentioned competition regulations.”
What could happen to Tottenham Hotspur and Rennes now?
Tottenham Hotspur were expected to host Rennes on Thursday in a Europa Conference League match which Spurs were condemned to win to qualify for the next round of the competition.
Unfortunately, covid-19 invaded Tottenham Hotspur and forced the match to be postponed, a decision that did not please Rennes that have already qualified for the next round of the competition.
Since UEFA tried to reschedule the game but failed, UEFA Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body have been permitted to step in to judge the case using Annex J of Europa Conference League regulations.
The rule suggests that the team which was unable to fulfill the fixture would have to forfeit the game and the opposing team would be awarded a 3-0 win. This means that Tottenham Hotspur would be punished by awarding Rennes a 3-0 win.
If that happens, Tottenham Hotspur’s hope of qualifying for the next round of the Europa Conference League would be over.
However, the UEFA disciplinary body would have to consider if Tottenham Hotspur had less than 13 players available before the game was postponed; and if the club made a genuine effort for the game to be rescheduled.
The answer to these questions would influence the decision the disciplinary body would make at the end of the process.
UEFA intends to conclude all matters related to the group stage of the Europa Conference League before the end of December 31st.
