Tottenham suffer major Europa League blow with key man suspended after getting red card two seasons ago

TOTTENHAM'S Europa League hopes have been hit by a long-delayed ban for a key defender.

Cristian Romero will miss Spurs' group opener against Qarabag on September 26 - due to being sent off in the Champions League TWO SEASONS ago.  

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Uefa have confirmed that European bans can kick in as late as two years after an offence - which adds to headaches at the back for Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.

Romero was sent off for two bookings in Spurs' last European adventure, in March 2023.

Having lost 1-0 away to AC Milan in the Champions League round-of-16, the Argentinian World Cup-winner's woe then helped kill off their hopes in the second leg.

Romero, now 26, earned his first yellow card after just 17 minutes of a poor Tottenham display.

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And a reckless challenge on Theo Hernandez late on meant his second booking in a tame 0-0 draw.

Spurs have been out of Europe since then, so it's only now that Romero's suspension comes into play.

His absence at home to Azerbaijan Premier League side Qarabag later this month means Postecoglou could face selection problems at centre-back.

Dutch centre-back  Micky van de Ven has been troubled by injury.

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However, Postecoglou is confident the 23-year-old will be back by the end of September.

He said: "Micky was close in training this week but with the international break he's not quite 100 per cent."

Radu Dragusin is Tottenham's other main option in central defence.

And if needed Ben Davies, usually a left-back, could switch inside.

Spurs decided to leave right-back Djed Spence out of their 23-man Europa League squad.