UEFA confirm Spurs' Euro exit

Tottenham's troubled Europa Conference League campaign is over, UEFA have confirmed.

Spurs needed to win their final group match against French side Rennes on December 9 to make it to next year's knock-out stages but called off the match because of a Covid outbreak.

The governing body has a December 31 cut-off date for the completion of all group stage matches and because no alternative date could be found, Spurs have had to forfeit because they cannot fulfil the fixture.

The decision was expected but will still come as a blow to boss Antonio Conte, who is overseeing a transformation in mood and confidence at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs were one of the favourites to make it all the way to the first ever final of this new European competition - which takes place in Tirana, capital of Albania, in May.

The early exit from Europe will at least free up dates to help Spurs catch up with a backlog of matches - having had games against Burnley, Brighton and Leicester City called off in recent weeks because of bad weather and Covid.

Conte's men are due to be back in action on Wednesday night against West Ham in the Carabao Cup semi-final and Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.