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Antonio Conte: "People who weren't positive yesterday are today, and we are still in contact with them."
Photo: DAVID KLEIN / REUTERS
Coach Antonio Conte has confirmed several corona cases at the English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.
As Conte announced, eight Spurs players and five employees tested positive for the corona virus.
It was not known who it was.
As a consequence, Conte would rather not play football games, but: It looks like he has to.
The game in the Conference League against Stades Rennes should take place on Thursday as planned - Uefa has not yet planned to postpone the game.
According to the regulations of the European Football Union, a match will be played if 13 active players (including a goalkeeper) from among the 25 registered professionals are available.
That's the case with the Spurs.
Coach Conte, 52, who has been a Tottenham coach since November, expressed concern.
“People who weren't positive yesterday are today, and we're still in contact with them.
The number is growing every day.
It's a serious problem, "he said during a virtual press conference:" We're all in contact. "
He was very worried, said Conte.
“There's no point in talking about football.
At the moment we don't know what tomorrow will be.
Then who is it?
I?
Another?
It is contageous.
We all have families and we are a little scared, ”he said.
“Why do we have to take the risk?
Why?"
From a sporting point of view, the game against Rennes is of some importance.
Tottenham delivers a long-distance duel with Vitesse Arnheim for second place in the Conference League, which entitles them to advance.
Vitesse plays against NŠ Mura at the same time, but has the goal difference two hits worse, which decides in the event of a tie.
In social media, Spurs fans urged Uefa to postpone the game.
Your club should also stop training, it said, among other things.
Conte added that he was vaccinated himself.
He did not want to answer the question of whether the entire team had been vaccinated.
That was a question for the medical department, said the Italian.
Tottenham will have to play in the Premier League at Brighton & Hove Albion after Thursday's game on Sunday.
According to the BBC, it was initially not certain whether the game would take place.
mon / dpa / Reuters / sid