OH FFS Spurs want a replay

BBC SPORT Spurs ask to replay West Ham game 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."

Tottenham needed to match Arsenal's result against Wigan to finish above their rivals and secure fourth spot in the league.

That would have enabled them next season to take part in qualifying for the Champions League - a competition they have never been in.

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 said Spurs could delay the match until later in the day to give their players time to recover from illness, but would not allow the game to be played on another day.

However the police said they would not sanction a kick off time after 1700 BST - only two hours after was game was due to begin.

Levy continued: "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.

"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."

A Premier League spokesman said: "Tottenham fulfilled their fixture and as far as the Premier League is concerned the result stands.

"However, the Premier League board will convene and discuss the contents of Tottenham's letter."

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. Story from BBC SPORT: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham\_hotspur/4755491.stm

woohoo come on spurs

dream scenario: spurs get granted a reply and smash west ham 5-0. barca hammer arsenal in the champs league final

And wouldn't do, had Arsenal lost against Wigan... Or if they'd beaten us...

SHEDi xxx

the "essentially a cup final" noise is just that--a buncha noise

It wasn't a cup final; it was the last match of the season, and your season wouldn't have come down to the wire if there were three points from elsewhere in your schedule.

I'd have like to have seen spurs in the big cup but, this would spell disaster if granted

it might all be moot anyway if arsenal win the champions league

Can't see them getting a replay...a precedent has already been set for this type of thing.A few seasons ago,The Boro team were struck down with a viral infection,tried to rearrange the fixture,and did'nt travel to Blackburn ..The 3 points were awarded to Blackburn,and it cost Boro dearly when they were relegated as a result!

Unless Spurs can prove foul play,They're fucked.

Al Jarvis wrote: Pathetic.

I've said in another thread we complained about Spurs stopping up in 74/75 so they should take their just desserts now.

If their team was so fcut, why start with someone like Murphy on the bench when he wasn't hit by the food poisoning whatsoever.

I was just thinking - if we do win the Cup Final (big if!), then a replay might be quite fun - with confidence up and no danger of finishing any lower in the table, it's be great to beat Spurs again!

SHEDi xxx

Spurs should stop crying. All West Ham players should go AWOL so it'd be hard to rearrange a match if they needed one.

I have just been reminded why I hate Tottenham so much. Their arrogance takes my breath away Fcuk'em.

.............looking forward to knocking them out of the Uefa Cup next season.

And they think they are a BIG club also ... like Villa and Newcastle

Just spent 10 mins writing a response on here to Spurs wanting a replay, but i keep coming back to the same thing.

WANKERS!

Why am I not surprised the like of Manchester United and Chelsea would support Spurs in a fight to gain a Champions League place?

how the fuck is Levy going to prove it.

too much of a time gap now anyway.

David's is off to Ajax now coz he's pissed about it.

Bonzette wrote: Just spent 10 mins writing a response on here to Spurs wanting a replay, but i keep coming back to the same thing.

WANKERS!

Why am I not surprised the like of Manchester United and Chelsea would support Spurs in a fight to gain a Champions League place?

Correct me if I'm wrong, Bonzette, after all you're a bit closer to the action 'n' all, but I get the impression that Spurs, especially Jol, never, ever held much hope in getting a replay, it's just that the front office felt they had to do this on the front with the Premiere League over their handling of the matter. Undoubtedly, they'll fare a bit better in a potential lawsuit against the Marriott than the requested replay.