Tottenham new stadium news: Daniel Levy apologises to fans as Spurs announce another delay

Tottenham's match against Manchester United will be played at Wembley

Daniel Levy has apologised to Tottenham supporters after the club announced a further delay to the opening of their new stadium.

The club had hoped to open the the new White Hart Lane in the New Year following a series of delays caused by critical safety systems, but another setback means that Tottenham’s match against Manchester United on 13 January 2019 will be played at Wembley.

Tottenham have been working to address the faltering safety systems and are beginning to prepare to apply for a stadium safety certificate. Plans are in place to begin test events after the Christmas period unless other significant issues arise, with the club due an update from contractors on 7 January.

In a statement Tottenham’s chairman, Levy, apologised to supporters for the delays and said he is ‘frustrated’ by the time it is taking to meet safety regulations.

“We are acutely conscious that we are asking fans to go to Wembley for far longer than any of us wanted to. However we are now seeing the progress that we needed to see,” he said.

“What I don’t want to do is set any firm dates until we have finally achieved a safety certificate. So many people tell me to look at other major schemes that run late and, whilst I know it happens often, we are still hugely frustrated.

“It is important, however, to recognise the sheer complexity of the scheme. It will be one of the first fully-integrated digital stadiums and will also be required to meet the latest and most stringent safety regulations.

“Once again I want to apologise to fans and to thank you for your ongoing support. We have a busy time ahead both on and off the pitch, particularly after last night’s amazing qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League.

Tottenham qualified for the Champions League 16 with a late goal against Barcelona (Action Images via Reuters)

Attention will now turn to Tottenham’s Champions League campaign and where the match will be held in mid-February. Following their last-ditch draw in Barcelona to seal qualification to the next round, Harry Kane said it will be ‘special’ to play their Champions League matches in the new ground. “It would be incredible. Something special, Champions League games in the new stadium. We’ve got to try and create that atmosphere, everyone knows Anfield’s been fantastic for Liverpool,” he said.

Uefa, who will decide whether Spurs can swap ground mid-way through the competition, increased the pressure on Tottenham by demanding a decision by February about their venue for the knockout round. “Uefa is in close contact with Tottenham Hotspur FC regarding this matter. A decision will be taken in due course and in any case before February 2019,” the governing body said in a statement.

Before opening the new stadium Tottenham must be granted a safety certificate by Haringey Council, which will only be awarded after two successful test events. An event was pencilled for late November with 30,000 people and a second was targeted to be staged in December with a capacity of 48,000.

Tottenham were given permission to continue using Wembley in November but had to settle for a reduced capacity. The club are allowed to player there indefinitely but with a reduced capacity of 51,000, although they were beginning to witness reduced attendances anyway with fans seemingly frustrated by the delays.

Spurs can increase the capacity for matches including the Champions League last 16 tie in February to 62,000 by submitting an application to Brent Council, while “additional limited exceptions” could see the north London side granted the full 90,000 capacity.