Tottenham qualify for little-known new tournament but may have to pull out

 

Tottenham Hotspur may be forced to pull out of the UEFA–CONMEBOL Club Challenge despite qualifying for the match by winning the Europa League. Spurs ended a 17-year wait for silverware by defeating Manchester United in last month's final, securing their first major trophy since 2008. The victory earned them a place in the UEFA Super Cup, where they are set to face Champions League winners Paris Saint Germain in August at Udinese's stadium in Italy.

However, winning the Europa League also qualified Tottenham for another lesser-known tournament – the UEFA–CONMEBOL Club Challenge. This competition is a collaboration between European and South American football authorities and features the winners of the Europa League and the Copa Sudamericana. This year’s South American champions, Racing Club from Argentina, are reportedly eager to play against the London club.

The main issue is Tottenham’s tight preseason schedule. The club has already confirmed several high-profile friendly matches ahead of the new campaign. These include a clash with rivals Arsenal in late July, a trip to South Korea to face Newcastle, and a visit to Germany to play Bayern Munich. These fixtures leave little time for additional matches, making it challenging for UEFA to find a suitable date for the Club Challenge.

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As a result, Tottenham may have no choice but to withdraw from the competition due to a lack of availability. UEFA is yet to announce a final decision, but officials admit it may not be possible to fit the match into Spurs' already packed calendar. The situation highlights the growing difficulty of managing international fixtures during an increasingly crowded football season.