Tottenham boss Antonio Conte blasts ‘waste of time’ Premier League meeting
Conte rages with UEFA decision as Tottenham exit Conference League
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has blasted the Premier League’s meeting on Thursday as a ‘waste of time’ as Covid outbreaks continue to wreak havoc on the festive schedule. The Premier League met virtually with all 20 managers in an attempt to ease concerns over an increasingly congested fixture list.
Burnley’s tie with Everton is the latest Boxing Day clash to be called off due to persistent Covid issues.
Liverpool vs Leeds suffered the same fate, along with Wolves’ game against Watford.
Spurs have endured their fair share of Covid frustration already this month, with matches against Brighton, Rennes and Leicester City all postponed.
UEFA forced them to forfeit their Europa Conference League tie with Rennes as the match could not be rescheduled, resulting in a default 3-0 defeat and their exit from the competition.
JUST IN: Chelsea could sign ideal Ben Chilwell stand-in for just £17m in January transfer window
Conte’s side face a chaotic fixture list over the coming weeks and months to make up for the games they recently missed.
As one of the bosses with the most to be concerned about, the Italian was seemingly disappointed with the Premier League’s efforts to provide reassurance on Thursday.
When asked if it was a waste of time, he responded: “I think so.
“Because when you have a wall in front of you, you can speak and ask what you want but every decision was [already] taken.
DON’T MISS
Juventus ‘waiting to hear from Arsenal’ after Arthur offer but Arteta stance clear [REPORT]
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte ‘wants two January signings’ as Fabio Paratici under pressure [GOSSIP]
Steven Gerrard makes cheeky Mason Mount request and hails Chelsea ace for four reasons [QUOTES]
“I think yesterday it was a wall and for this reason I also prefer to not go into it.”
Spurs are currently six points behind local rivals Arsenal in the race for the top four, but they have played three games less than some of their nearest competitors.
The north London side were also unfortunate enough to see their match against Burnley called off due to heavy snowfall at the end of November, which has only served to complicate matters further.
A relentless festive schedule has prompted criticism from some managers, and Conte’s team are set to feel the brunt of it with upcoming ties against Crystal Palace and Southampton separated by just two days.
“It is not easy for us, it is not easy for all the teams to play after only one day is not simple,” he added.
“You have to manage the situation very well because the risk to lose players for injuries, so we have to pay great attention, especially my team.
“Don’t forget we had half our squad with Covid and in previous press conferences I said that when you take Covid, then you have to live with this situation for two to three weeks after you finished with Covid.
“We have to try to manage the situation very well because for sure physically the players with Covid [previously] are not 100 per cent fit.”
Source: Read Full Article