Bigtk
Active member
- Nov 20, 2005
- 997
Tottenham have written to the Premier League to ask if they can replay Sunday's game against West Ham.
Ten Tottenham players were hit by food poisoning before the 2-1 defeat, which ended Spurs' hopes of playing in next year's Champions League.
"Our match at West Ham was effectively a cup final," said Spurs chairman Daniel Levy in an open letter to Premier League chairman Dave Richards.
"Our chances were significantly reduced by the exceptional circumstances."
Levy added that Tottenham's cause was supported by other clubs and he was expecting to be granted a replay.
He added: "We now have confirmation from a majority of Premier League clubs that they would support a replay and in similar circumstances would expect the game to have been postponed.
"We therefore formally request that you order that the game be replayed."
Our governing body put us in an impossible situation and gave a significant advantage to Arsenal
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Premier League board will convene and discuss the contents of Tottenham's letter
A Premier League spokesman
Tottenham needed to match Arsenal's result against Wigan to finish above their rivals and secure fourth spot in the league as well as an opportunity to qualify for the Champions League.
But defeat combined with Arsenal's 4-2 win over Wigan left Spurs in fifth and a place in the Uefa Cup instead.
The Premier League told Spurs they could delay the match until later in the day to give their players time to recover from illness, but the police said they would not sanction a kick-off time after 1700 BST - only two hours after the game was due to begin.
Spurs could have gone ahead and postponed the game until another day, but they would have risked Premier League sanctions, including a points penalty.
BBC Sport understands that because Spurs opted to play the game instead of postponing it and then arguing their case at a hearing, they will not be granted a replay.
The Premier League has said it will discuss the contents of Levy's letter at a meeting on Wednesday.
But a spokesman said: "Tottenham fulfilled their fixture and as far as the Premier League is concerned the result stands."
But Levy believes the Premier League was "inconsistent in its approach".
"In being given no viable option to postpone the match other than a two-hour delay to kick-off, our players were denied the possible opportunity of competing in the Champions League," he said.
"Also, our fans have been left with a sense of suspicion and injustice at the way subsequent events unfolded.
"We played the game with players who were unwell but who were desperate not to let their fans and colleagues down.
"Clearly, our governing body put us in an impossible situation and gave a significant advantage to Arsenal in competing for that fourth position.
"The Premier League was inconsistent in its approach in being prepared to consider the kick-off to be delayed but not allowing the match to be played on a different day."
Probe into Spurs illness outbreak
Food samples from the Marriott Hotel in east London where Spurs stayed before the West Ham game are being tested by health authorities.
An official criminal investigation has not been launched.
Ten Tottenham players were hit by food poisoning before the 2-1 defeat, which ended Spurs' hopes of playing in next year's Champions League.
"Our match at West Ham was effectively a cup final," said Spurs chairman Daniel Levy in an open letter to Premier League chairman Dave Richards.
"Our chances were significantly reduced by the exceptional circumstances."
Levy added that Tottenham's cause was supported by other clubs and he was expecting to be granted a replay.
He added: "We now have confirmation from a majority of Premier League clubs that they would support a replay and in similar circumstances would expect the game to have been postponed.
"We therefore formally request that you order that the game be replayed."
Our governing body put us in an impossible situation and gave a significant advantage to Arsenal
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Premier League board will convene and discuss the contents of Tottenham's letter
A Premier League spokesman
Tottenham needed to match Arsenal's result against Wigan to finish above their rivals and secure fourth spot in the league as well as an opportunity to qualify for the Champions League.
But defeat combined with Arsenal's 4-2 win over Wigan left Spurs in fifth and a place in the Uefa Cup instead.
The Premier League told Spurs they could delay the match until later in the day to give their players time to recover from illness, but the police said they would not sanction a kick-off time after 1700 BST - only two hours after the game was due to begin.
Spurs could have gone ahead and postponed the game until another day, but they would have risked Premier League sanctions, including a points penalty.
BBC Sport understands that because Spurs opted to play the game instead of postponing it and then arguing their case at a hearing, they will not be granted a replay.
The Premier League has said it will discuss the contents of Levy's letter at a meeting on Wednesday.
But a spokesman said: "Tottenham fulfilled their fixture and as far as the Premier League is concerned the result stands."
But Levy believes the Premier League was "inconsistent in its approach".
"In being given no viable option to postpone the match other than a two-hour delay to kick-off, our players were denied the possible opportunity of competing in the Champions League," he said.
"Also, our fans have been left with a sense of suspicion and injustice at the way subsequent events unfolded.
"We played the game with players who were unwell but who were desperate not to let their fans and colleagues down.
"Clearly, our governing body put us in an impossible situation and gave a significant advantage to Arsenal in competing for that fourth position.
"The Premier League was inconsistent in its approach in being prepared to consider the kick-off to be delayed but not allowing the match to be played on a different day."
Probe into Spurs illness outbreak
Food samples from the Marriott Hotel in east London where Spurs stayed before the West Ham game are being tested by health authorities.
An official criminal investigation has not been launched.
Last edited:
