UEFA have ruled that Tottenham Hotspur forfeited their Europa Conference League match against Rennes earlier this month, meaning that they have been knocked out of the competition.

Spurs were due to face Rennes in their final group game on December 9, but a coronavirus outbreak within their squad forced the game to be called off the day before the game.

UEFA rules dictate that group games in club competitions must be completed by December 31, and Tottenham's busy domestic schedule meant that a date could not be found to replay the game.

Europe's governing body has now ruled that Spurs forfeited the game, resulting in an automatic 3-0 defeat which leaves them third in their group.

Antonio Conte's side needed a win in their final group game to progress, having amassed only seven points from their opening five outings - including defeat to Slovenian minnows NS Mura.

Spurs were adjudged to have acted against competition rules in calling the match off, with those rules stating that a team must fulfil their fixture as long as they have 13 available players including a goalkeeper.

"We are disappointed by the ruling of the UEFA Appeals Body and the refusal to allow more time for the match to be rescheduled," read a statement from Spurs.

"We have to accept this ruling, however, and our focus now turns to the competitions we remain in."

Tottenham also saw their following two Premier League games - against Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City - called off due to COVID-19.

The decision means that Rennes and Dutch club Vitesse qualify from Group G of the Europa Conference League ahead of Spurs.