Antonio Conte has confirmed eight players of Tottenham’s first-team squad and five staff members have tested positive for coronavirus.
Spurs host French outfits Rennes in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, with UEFA regulations meaning the match cannot be postponed unless a club has fewer than 13 players or no registered goalkeeper available.
As reported by football.london, Conte told reporters at his pre-match press conference: “Every day we are having people with COVID.
“People that yesterday weren’t positive and today are and we’re continuing to have contact with. It’s a serious problem.
“Today another player and another member of staff positive. Tomorrow, who? Me? Another member of staff? I want to speak about football. This is not a good thing for you, the fans and staff.
“Everyone is a bit scared, we all have families. I ask why? Why? Yesterday we trained and two positives, today we trained and after another two positives. Who next? It’s not right, we’re going home to our families.”
Tottenham are set to ask the Premier League to postpone Sunday’s game vs. Brighton due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
Up to seven players and at least two coaching staff members have tested positive, per @CDEccleshare pic.twitter.com/8uUIIPeOvW
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 8, 2021
A request would be assessed by the Premier League board, who resolve appeals on a case-by-case basis and would consider factors such as the number of players unavailable, their positions, and the impact on the club’s preparations.
The league has generally granted such requests and no less than 6 matches were rescheduled due to virus outbreaks last season, including some on the day of the game.
Brighton are waiting for news on the fate of their Premier League fixture with Tottenham ahead of the weekend after a Covid outbreak at Spurs.
Tottenham already have a game in hand after last month’s visit to Burnley was postponed due to snow.
