Ouest-France is the newspaper local to Rennes, and it’s fair to say they’re not impressed with Tottenham Hotspur right now.
Spurs’ UEFA Conference League clash against Rennes was postponed after 13 people tested positive within the north London club’s playing squad and staff.
The Ligue 1 side had arrived in the English capital two days ago and after being told the tie will not take place on Thursday, they were forced to return to Brittany yesterday.
On December 9th, Ouest-France reported Spurs are considering rescheduling the tie on December 15th, but the French club have ‘no intention of accepting that date’, which was then confirmed by their president of the administration council, Jacque Delanoë.
Today’s edition of the newspaper rants at the supposed power of London club, and the Premier League and how things have now gone too far.
They clearly believe Spurs have thought little of Rennes, and say: ‘This chaos reminds us to what extent clubs can be selfish and irresponsible, to what extent UEFA always grants privileges to the same people and to what extent the collective and health interest is not an illusion in the face of the behemoths of this world. sport. The problem has not been resolved, but one thing is clear: Stade Rennais must no longer be the one paying the price. It’s enough.’
Today’s edition of L’Equipe states there is ‘some annoyance over the lack of transparency of the struggling’ English club, on whether they could have fielded 13 outfield players and a goalkeeper on Thursday.
The focus during yesterday’s discussion was for the tie to be rescheduled for December 15th. Spurs have postponed the weekend league tie against Brighton & Hove Albion and have ‘asked for the same’ for the clash against Leicester City on December 16th.
Rennes take on OGC Nice on Sunday and FC Lorient on December 18th. It is followed by a clash against AS Monaco on the 22nd of the same month.
They are ‘precisely free’ next midweek to face Spurs, but it is ‘not ideal’ for them to play four matches in 11 days. In addition to this, organising a trip to London in a short time will also ‘not be easy’ for Rennes.
L’Equipe say ‘it is not certain’ Tottenham’s situation will ‘improve in a week’.
In the event the European clash will not take place on December 15th, then it would have take place in ‘another window targeted by UEFA’. The report doesn’t mention when that would be.
Rennes have progressed to the next round and will finish as group winners. Vitesse are second with 10 points, three points ahead of third placed Spurs. Conte’s side need to beat the Ligue 1 side to make it to the knockout stages of the competition.
