Eight Tottenham players, five staff members test positive for COVID-19

The reported COVID-19 outbreak at Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur isn't merely as bad as feared. It's worse. 

Per ESPN's James Olley and Alasdair Gold of Football.London, Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte told reporters Wednesday via a Zoom video conference that eight players and five staff members have thus far tested positive for COVID-19. According to Dan Kilpatrick of the Evening Standard, Tottenham remain scheduled to face Stade Rennais in a critical Europa Conference League match Thursday night despite the club's coronavirus crisis.

Tottenham must win that game to control their fate for the tournament's knockout stages. 

"Every day, we are having a positive [test]," a visibly frustrated Conte explained. "Today, one player and one member of staff. I think the worst [thing] is we don't know and we continue to have contact with people that the day before was negative. For sure, this is not a good situation.

"We had a training session, we prepare the game against Rennes but it is very difficult. At the end of the training session again, one player positive, another member of staff is positive. Tomorrow, who? Me? Another player? Another member of staff? And we continue this way."

UEFA rules state Tottenham must attempt to play Thursday unless "less than 13 players registered on the A list or no registered goalkeeper are available." Gold tweeted earlier on Wednesday Tottenham currently have only 10 senior outfield players available for selection. 

Rules for English domestic competitions differ from European guidelines, so it currently seems likely Tottenham's Premier League game at Brighton & Hove Albion scheduled for Sunday will be postponed barring the discovery of so-called "false positive" test results. 

"Everyone is a bit scared also because we have family," Conte remarked. "I have to take this risk. Why? Why? This is my question.

"Yesterday, two other positives, today, another two positives. Tomorrow, who? Me? I don't know. Maybe better me than a player for sure. But I think it is not right for everyone because we have family and we have contact with them when we come back home. I have to speak about a different situation and not football.

"Football is the most important thing in the press conference but today to speak about football today is impossible. The last situation made me very upset. I think the situation is serious. There is a big infection and now, for sure, we are a bit scared because tomorrow we don't know what happens."

Despite Conte's protests, eligible Tottenham players took to the pitch Wednesday afternoon for training ahead of Thursday's fixture.