Tottenham manager Martin Jol does not believe the bout of food poisoning which struck down his squad at the weekend and helped ruin their Champions League dream was the result of foul play.

Environmental health officers and the police were called in to investigate after 10 of his players became ill at the team hotel.

Spurs informed the Premier League this morning they were in danger of being unable to fulfil the match and Jol wanted it postponed until Monday night or at the very least delayed until 6pm.
But after consultation with the police the best offer from the Premier League was to delay kick-off until 5pm on Sunday.

Spurs, aware of how Middlesbrough were docked three points in 1997 when they failed to fulfil a league fixture at Blackburn, decided to go ahead with the game as scheduled.

"We had 10 players in bed and asked to postpone the game until 6pm. This is nothing that I have experienced before," said Jol. "The police and health and safety people were called but I don't suspect foul play. We had a buffet with steak and chicken and I had a rough idea what it was.

"I was woken up by the club doctor at 5am and I then went to see Chris Hughton. Aaron Lennon and Teemu Tainio were affected by it later on.

"I was told about the Middlesbrough game and that we could have been given a sanction.
"We could not take the risk of not playing. We knew what happened to Middlesbrough a few years ago.

"Sometimes if you get fluid and food into them they will be okay. That is why we needed three hours.

"I thought it would have been okay to play tomorrow for everybody but I am appreciative the Premier League didn't want that and West Ham have a game next weekend.

"We did the warm-up together and everybody came back into the dressing room and the players said they were okay so we decided to play."

Spurs had to better Arsenal's result against Wigan but the Gunners snatched fourth place and Champions League qualification as West Ham ran out 2-1 winners.

Jermain Defoe's expert finish on his return to Upton Park drew Spurs level at half-time after Carl Fletcher had rifled West Ham into the lead with a 30-yard special.

Paul Robinson saved a penalty from Teddy Sheringham but as news of the Highbury score filtered through at Upton Park, Yossi Benayoun hammered the final nail in Tottenham's coffin 10 minutes from time.

"I don't want to blame circumstances and the main thing is we are fifth and in Europe but it could have been better," said Jol.

"To get 65 points is unbelievable but we would have liked 68. It has spoiled a very good season.
"It is disappointing and we had to hope for the best."