Antonio Conte: Tottenham to appeal 'unfair' Europa Conference League decision after Covid-19 outbreak

Published 21/12/2021 at 16:19 GMT

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has hit out at the decision from UEFA that sent his side out of the Europa Conference League. Spurs had an outbreak of coronavirus amongst staff and players on the eve of their game against French side Rennes, which led to the game being called off. That led to Rennes being awarded three points, and Spurs were knocked out of the competition.

Antonio Conte manager of Spurs reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 02, 2021 in London, England

Image credit: Getty Images

Antonio Conte has said it was "unfair" of UEFA to give Rennes a 3-0 forfeit win against Tottenham, a decision which led to Spurs being knocked out of the Europa Conference League.

Spurs were due to play Rennes in their final group game on December 9 but it did not go ahead because of an outbreak of Covid-19 at the club.

UEFA put the matter to their disciplinary team, and they awarded the win to the French side, which led to Spurs being knocked out of the competition.

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Conte said the club would now appeal.

"We are very, very confident for the next step and I repeat we deserve to play the qualification on the pitch, not in the court. I can't accept this. We are very, very disappointed with UEFA for this decision.

"It's unfair for sure. We deserve to play for qualification on the pitch, not in this way. I'm very disappointed for UEFA's decision.

"I don't want to understand but I hope in the future, in the next step, something can change because we deserve to play for qualification on the pitch, not in this way. It's not our fault."

Eight players and five staff members had been diagnosed with Covid-19 ahead of the planned tie.

Spurs host West Ham in the quarter-finals of the Carabo Cup on Wednesday.

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