JAKARTA - Antonio Conte has called the suspension of the North London derby between Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal a "very strange" decision by the English Premier League operator.
The match was supposed to take place on Sunday, January 16, but was postponed after the visitors were found to have insufficient players in their squad due to a combination of COVID-19 cases, injuries and those in charge of their country's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tottenham have called the decision "very shocking" and Conte has questioned the validity of injuries and the call-up to the national team as reasons for the suspension of club-level matches.
"The club has made a statement and I think we have shown disappointment with the decision. It is a very strange decision," Conte was quoted as saying by Sky Sports, Tuesday.
Following a request from Arsenal FC, the Premier League Board met today and regrettably agreed to postpone the North London Derby, due to be played at 4:30pm on Sunday 16 January.Full PL statement ️
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 15, 2022
"My feeling is that if there is a game scheduled we have to play him and not suspend him because of injury or call-ups to the national team."
"We are all facing the same big problem with Covid but that should be the only reason for considering the suspension of the game."
"It's the first time I've been in this situation in football, having this kind of decision. In this way, anything can happen."
Tottenham itself was one of the earliest clubs to get waivers because their squad experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases.
The Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion on 12 December was postponed for this reason, three days after they also suspended their Conference League group stage closing match against Rennes.
In the end, Tottenham had to be kicked out of the Conference League due to a 0-3 walk-over loss to Rennes, after the visitors had arrived in London and UEFA declared there was no possibility of rescheduling the match.
Tottenham are due to travel to Leicester City on Wednesday 19 January for the matchday 17 which was suspended last December due to a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases.
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