Topics: Tottenham, Rennes, UEFA Europa Conference League
Tottenham's postponed clash with Rennes could not be rescheduled, resulting in the north London giants being slapped with a 3-0 defeat.

One of Tottenham's best shot at silverware this season came in the UEFA Europa Conference League, with the north London giants being one of the favorites for the title regardless of their mixed group-stage performance. However, that opportunity has unfortunately evaporated as Antonio Conte's side have just been kicked out of the tournament.

This comes after the Chairman of the UEFA Appeals Body ruled that the Premier League side forfeited their postponed showdown with Rennes, resulting in a 3-0 defeat being award to Spurs. That loss means they are now officially out of the competition.

This whole dilemma stems from Tottenham's sixth and final Europa Conference League group-stage fixture, with Harry Kane and Co. needing to beat Rennes in order to qualify for the knockout round playoffs. Unfortunately, that game did not take place as the match was called off despite the French side having already made the trip to London. 

The reason was understandable, however. A COVID-19 outbreak had occurred in Conte's camp, hence the postponement, as Tottenham were also unable to play their subsequent Premier League tie. Regardless, Rennes rejected the alternative dates proposed for this pending fixture, thus resulting in Tottenham's forfeit and subsequent elimination from the tournament as this leaves them in third in their group.

This decision has been a frustrating one for Spurs given the length they went to in order to play this fixture. The north London side were willing to even face Rennes on Monday, just a day after their grueling Premier League showdown with Liverpool, but saw this offer rejected by the Ligue 1 side. Conte's team even offered to relinquish their home advantage and play the game in France, but this was also not accepted by the opposition due to conflicting schedules.

"Following several positive cases of COVID-19 that were identified from players and staff of Tottenham Hotspur FC, the 2021/22 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Stade Rennais FC - scheduled to be played on 9 December 2021 in London, United Kingdom – could not be played," UEFA's official statement read.

"The matter was submitted to the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, for a decision to be taken in accordance with Annex J of the Regulations of the UEFA Europa Conference League (2021/22 Season). 

"Based on the Article 30 (4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and given the urgent circumstances of the matter, the ad-hoc chairman of the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body referred the case to the Appeals Body.

"The Chairman of the Uefa Appeals Body took the following decision: To declare the 2021/22 Uefa Europa Conference League group stage match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Stade Rennais FC, that was initially scheduled to be played on 9 December 2021, as forfeited by Tottenham Hotspur FC, who is therefore deemed to have lost the match 0-3 in accordance with Annex J.3.1 to the Regulations of the Uefa Europa Conference League (2021/22 Season)."

And to add insult to injury, Spurs have set an unwanted record along the way. As brought up by Richard Jolly, a journalist for the National, the Guardian, and the Independent, the north London side  have become the first English club in history to be knocked out of the European Cup, Champions League, Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Cup, Europa League, Intertoto Cup and Europa Conference League.

Conte will have little time to waste on this latest disappointment as his men are due back in action this midweek in the Carabao Cup. The Premier League outfit take on fellow London side West Ham in a highly-anticipated quarterfinal showdown on Wednesday, with fans eagerly awaiting to see whether Kane and Co. can overcome the high-flying Hammers.