TOTTENHAM’S Carabao Cup tie with Leyton Orient is OFF after the O’s squad was hit by a ‘number’ of positive coronavirus tests.
The League Two side were set to host Jose Mourinho’s men in the third round on Tuesday night.
Leyton Orient’s game with Tottenham is off after a number of first-team players tested positive for coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But Tottenham have been told the match, supposed to kick off at 6pm in front of the Sky Sports cameras, will not go ahead tonight.
It is not yet clear whether the clash will be postponed to a later date.
A statement read: “Tonight’s Carabao Cup match between Leyton Orient and Tottenham Hotspur is not taking place this evening as scheduled.
“Discussions are ongoing between the relevant stakeholders in regards to the implications of the fixture not taking place tonight and a further update will be provided in due course.
“Leyton Orient, the EFL and the relevant authorities are conducting a thorough review of the club’s Covid-19 secure procedures with the view to reopening the stadium and training ground as soon as possible.”
The chockablock football calendar, including Tottenham’s Europa League commitments, means there is no realistic way to squeeze a rearranged tie in especially with round four scheduled for next week.
Spurs or Orient will face either Chelsea or Barnsley at home in the Carabao Cup fourth round with that match taking place at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Orient’s chairman Nigel Travis earlier told talkSPORT: “The game is a postponement, not a cancellation.”
He added: “We have talked to the EFL and we are assuming this is a postponement
“We’re going to lose £2.5million this year, also anything that can help us reduce that loss is clearly important. We are struggling so games like this have to take place.
“We have a great relationship with Spurs, we’ve looked at their fixtures and this game can be played. There has to be a will, because this game is worth £150,000 profit to us, so we have to play this game.
“I recognise the guidelines and we have spoken to the league about extenuating circumstances. I can assure you, we will not be the first club facing this this year. Even Man City had a player test positive recently.”
Leyton Orient confirmed on Monday that their Breyer Group Stadium and training ground had been closed as a result of the positive tests.
SunSport understands up to 18 players and staff contracted the virus.
Despite the serious circumstances, Mourinho will be relieved to get an extra few days between matches and Spurs face a hectic fixture list.
The decision means Spurs have an extra few days of recovery between their matches in the busy scheduleCredit: AFP or licensors
They were due to have SIX matches in just 13 days between September 13 and September 27.
That included four in the space of eight days.
Tottenham beat Southampton 5-2 on Sunday, were due to play at Orient then have a Europa League qualifier against Shkendija in Macedonia two days later on Thursday before returning to Premier League action to face Newcastle on Sunday.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
