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Spurs face choices about where to stage games

Spurs will not move into their new stadium until mid-October due to issues with 'critical safety systems', thought to relate to electrical systems and fire alarms. Such difficulties are not unusual with large and complex construction projects, but they leave the club with some difficult choices about future games.

They must tell Uefa within a fortnight where they will play their home group games in the Champions League. Although the stadium could be ready for their second and third group games, the first of which is October 23rd, Uefa demand certainty. The safe option would be to play all three games at Wembley.

Spurs have asked for the Premier League games on September 15 against Liverpool and October 6 against Cardiff to be moved to Wembley. The game against Manchester City on October 28 cannot be moved to Wembley because the stadium is hosting a NFL game which is sold out. They could ask Manchester City and the Premier League to reverse the fixture, but this would need the agreement of Greater Manchester Police. The other alternative would be to postpone the game, but given fixture congestion for Premier League clubs, this would only be allowed as a last resort.

A further 200 workers were brought on to the site on Sunday, some of them lured from Crossrail by higher pay. The cladding has yet to be finished and it is thought that the crane will be on site until October. Before a safety certificate can be granted there have to be two test events with increasing attendances.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust is asking for a full refund plus a goodwill gesture in cash for supporters with tickets for the Cardiff and Liverpool games. Refunds for this Saturday's game against Fulham have been offered in club credit only.

Spurs have now been given a fortnight to decide whether they stage their match against Manchester City on October 28th.

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