UEFA has confirmed Tottenham’s Europa Conference League match against Rennes is off after a Covid-19 outbreak at the Premier League club.
Spurs said on Wednesday evening the game had been called off but Rennes disputed the statement, saying the decision had not yet been confirmed by UEFA.
It followed revelations that eight first-team players and five staff at Tottenham had tested positive for Covid-19.
The French club said the decision to call off the game had been taken “unilaterally” by Tottenham and that they wanted to play the match as scheduled, but on Thursday morning UEFA told Sky Sports News the fixture would not go ahead.
UEFA regulations usually mean matches cannot be postponed unless a club has fewer than 13 players or no registered goalkeeper available.
All European group stage matches must be completed by the end of 2021, with Tottenham already facing a busy festive schedule leaving no obvious window to rearrange the fixture.
Spurs need a victory against Rennes, who are already assured to finish top of the group, to stand a chance of qualifying for the last 32.
Speaking on Wednesday, Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte did not reveal whether the club have contacted the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s Premier League visit to Brighton.
Postponing Premier League games is taken on a case-by-case basis and the decision would be made by the Premier League board if a request is received from a club.