Report: Seven first-team Tottenham players test positive for COVID-19 amid feared outbreak
Rumors and, later, a report on Monday claimed that Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur were facing a potential COVID-19 outbreak that could deeply impact the team ahead of Thursday's must-win Europa Conference League match versus Stade Rennais and that could force the postponement of Sunday's Premier League away game at Brighton & Hove Albion.
There's now more information regarding the possible coronavirus crisis.
Alasdair Gold of Football.London reports at least seven first-team Tottenham players have produced positive COVID-19 test results, including an additional footballer who tested positive on Tuesday. Members of head coach Antonio Conte's staff are also affected amid the feared outbreak.
As of 1:20 pm ET, Tottenham hadn't officially confirmed recording positive tests coming off this past Sunday's 3-0 win over Norwich City.
Gold explained Monday that Thursday's fixture will go on, as scheduled, unless "less than 13 players registered on the A list or no registered goalkeeper are available" for Tottenham, per UEFA rules. Simon Stone of BBC Sport notes that currently isn't an issue.
Tottenham must secure a victory Thursday to remain in contention for the tournament's knockout stages.
Tottenham are awaiting the results of Tuesday's PCR testing before determining if they'll request that Sunday's league match be postponed. Conte was originally set to hold an in-person press conference on Wednesday, but that has since been shifted to a virtual experience for understandable reasons.
Tottenham enter Tuesday fifth in the Premier League table on 25 points, just two points behind West Ham United with a game in hand in the race for the all-important Champions League spots.
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