Antonio Conte reveals Tottenham have just ELEVEN players left to play after Covid outbreak
‘It’s a big infection. We have families, it’s not right’: Emotional boss Antonio Conte reveals Tottenham have just ELEVEN players left to play after growing major Covid outbreak – and calls for matches to stop
Spurs are struggling with a Covid outbreak with just eleven players available The situation worsened after seven players initially tested positive Their Brighton trip is at risk with the club set to request a postponement Antonio Conte admitted his side are ‘scared’ after the outbreak hit his squad He said it was a ‘serious problem’ and said the club were facing uncertainty
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Tottenham boss Antonio Conte admitted his side are ‘scared’ about the Covid outbreak that has ripped its way through his squad – with just eleven players left available and the club planning to request that their trip to Brighton is postponed.
Spurs were forced to re-test all of their players and staff on Tuesday after seven stars and four members of staff returned positive results.
And further positives are understood to have emerged from their latest round of coronavirus PCR tests, which they received the results from this morning – with the total number now in double figures.
Conte confirmed the worst fears in his press conference ahead of their clash against Rennes on Thursday night and said it was ‘a serious problem’ for his team.
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte admitted his side’s Covid outbreak was ‘scary’ after 13 players and staff tested positive
It is not yet known which players have been affected, with seven initially picking up the virus before the situation escalated
He said: ‘Eight players and five members of staff [have tested positive], but the problem is that every day we’re 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.
Conte’s men are preparing for a UEFA Conference League game against Rennes on Thursday
As reported by Sportsmail, the Premier League were already braced for a request from Spurs who were holding off making a call on their intentions for the Brighton game until the outcome of their follow-up tests were confirmed.
The Premier League have agreed to postpone fixtures in the past when clubs have been badly hit. The Premier League board make the final decision, treating each request on a case-by-case basis.
Spurs’s immediate priority is tomorrow’s meeting with French side Rennes, a game UEFA insisted yesterday that they expect to go ahead.
The club are said to be considering a request to delay their trip to face Graham Potter’s side
The Rennes clash would only be in danger if Spurs had less than 13 players from their 25-man A list or no goalkeeper available.
‘We had 11 players available for the match and by the end of the training session today one of the players who would start tomorrow is now positive. It’s scary. We’re all having contact.’
The outbreak comes as a huge blow to Conte, whose side have won their last three successive games and are desperate to keep momentum going.
Spurs already have a game in hand to play after their clash at Burnley was called off due to adverse weather and Conte will be frustrated to miss out on another chance to close the gap to the top four – even without a number of top players.
The news comes as a huge blow to Spurs, who are looking to keep their momentum after three straight Premier League wins
Earlier in the season, the club reported two false positives ahead of their trip to Newcastle after taking lateral flow tests before the senior players were given the all clear to take part.
Covid outbreaks were common last season – with many games forced to be delayed as players were struck down with the virus – but Spurs would become the first team to postpone a game if they are unable to fulfil their fixture at Brighton.
Tottenham are on a high after beating Norwich 3-0 on Sunday, which followed a 2-0 win over Brentford and a 2-1 victory against Leeds. They must win their Conference League game against Rennes to have any chance of reaching the next round.
