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The Nairobian

Tottenham could refuse to play if further matches are postponed – Mourinho warns

Premier League

By Mirror | Jan 08, 2021

Tottenham's manager Jose Mourinho gestures as his team won the EFL Cup semi-final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (Glyn Kirk/Pool via AP)

Jose Mourinho has sent a scathing warning to the footballing authorities that his Tottenham side will refuse to play two midweek games again amid a potential fixture pile-up.

Spurs' Premier League game against Fulham was recently postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak in their opponents' squad.

And their match against Aston Villa scheduled for next Wednesday could be at risk too for the same reason.

With Spurs still involved in the Europa League and kicking off their FA Cup campaign against Non-League side Marine this weekend, it means they could be set for a hectic few months of action.

But speaking ahead of the match against Marine, Mourinho warned he and his team would not be bullied with regards to rearranged fixtures.

"It is a completely impossible position for a club to have three matches postponed, especially if that club plays in Europe," he said.

Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Semi-Final - Tottenham Hotspur v Brentford - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - January 5, 2021, Tottenham Hotspur's Sergio Reguilon in action with as manager Jose Mourinho looks on [Reuters, Paul Childs]

"We thought we might be having to play a game if we had only 14 players available from the whole squad, including the academy. We were prepared for that.

"We had positive cases. We cannot deny. Players, coaches, other staff. We have had problems.

And when asked, Mourinho said he and his side would refuse to participate if they are scheduled to play four game in a week again.

At the start of the season Spurs played two Premier League games, a Carabao Cup tie and a Europa League match within the space of seven days.

And Mourinho added: "The only thing we can say is that what we did in the beginning of the season is impossible to repeat and we refuse to repeat. We would never accept to play seven matches in three weeks like we did before."

Meanwhile, Mourinho will be hoping to avoid the biggest upset in FA Cup history when his side take on eighth-tier Marine on Sunday.

He added: "If we lose it would mean a lack of respect from us. The best way to respect them is to win.

"They want to play a Tottenham first team, and we want to give them that respect. They don't want to play an under-23 side."