How Tottenham's new stadium delay impacts the key stakeholders

Tottenham have been forced to delay moving into their new stadium - PA
Tottenham have been forced to delay moving into their new stadium - PA

Spurs have been forced to delay moving into their new stadium due to 'issues with critical safety systems', causing all sorts of knock-on effects.

Chairman

Daniel Levy's overarching power across day-to-day operations ensures that he is hugely identified personally with the stadium project. He has built a no-nonsense reputation for getting things done during a successful reign at Spurs that is the longest-serving of any Premier League chairman.

The stadium timescale, however, always felt optimistic and any significant further delays really would only compound the embarrassment. The timing, after Tottenham made no summer signings, is also far from ideal, especially after it was revealed in April that Levy’s total remuneration had more than doubled for the accounting year 2016-17 to £6 million.

Unlike other outstanding performers at Spurs – such as manager Mauricio Pochettino and striker Harry Kane – Levy is the best paid of anyone in his role within the entire Premier League.

Mauricio Pochettino and his players

Uncertainty is never a good for any team and, having ultimately got through last season with only two home league defeats, it is still worth remembering that the first actual Wembley win in the league did not arrive until Oct 14. Spurs were also eliminated from the Champions League by Juventus at a venue that has brought mixed results and can certainly still inspire opponents.

Dele Alli and Harry Kane celebrate - Credit: Getty images
Spurs enjoyed a successful season at Wembley, but will still be desperate to get into their new stadium Credit: Getty images

Playing at Wembley will surely also now feel different. Last season was supposed to be a unique one-off experience and, for all the increased familiarity with their circumstances, the players are also desperate to step out at the new stadium. Beginning the season with extra away games could also risk a sluggish start.

Fans

There has already been considerable opposition to increased ticket prices in the new stadium, with some supporters arguing that an opportunity has been missed to harness greater synergy between club and its fanbase. More than 40,000 season-tickets have still been sold and fans are now urging “clear and transparent” communication over the ongoing delays.

Tottenham have announced details of the refunds that fans will receive but, with some making special travel plans to be at the historic first game at their £800 million new stadium, definite dates are now needed.

Tottenham are failing their fans with season ticket prices at the new stadium

“Fans have been asked to pay an awful lot more for their season tickets in the new ground,” said Kat Law, the co-chair of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust. “Fans appreciate it was a very ambitious build program – just over a year for a stadium of that complexity and magnitude would have been quite some feat – and that safety cannot be compromised but this has been a real let-down.”

FA and NFL

The two governing bodies most directly affected by the delay will also crave certainty. The contingency option of using Wembley has been exercised and the Football Association has always been willing to mitigate a situation for which it knows from its own stadium experience is complex, costly and subject to numerous variables and delays.

The FA, though, did not keep every date free and the clash on Oct 28 with its own NFL game has become a major potential issue. The NFL issued a supportive statement on Monday but headlines echoing across the US about relocating the first in a 10-year series of NFL games at White Hart Lane will have been a huge disappointment. Spurs have a deal to host two NFL games a year, although only one was planned this season.

Premier League and Uefa

The Premier League had already shown goodwill in allowing the Fulham match to be staged at Wembley as well as scheduling a series of early away matches. It had asked Spurs about the Wembley contingency as early as June and had wanted that plan in place.

Tottenham's new stadium in pictures

The Premier League are trying to be supportive and have no issue with Wembley again being used but are unlikely to want a third stadium introduced. Issues around protecting the competition’s balance would also arise if further away matches were added before Christmas.

Spurs are already scheduled to finish with four out of their last six league matches at home. Uefa is expected to allow a second venue to be used in the Champions League and Spurs may well also request that they are away from home on Oct 23-24.

Constructors and designers

The stadium architect, Populous, has not commented on the delay but construction company Mace were again mentioned in Tottenham’s latest statement. There were reports last month of workers being incentivised to extend their shifts. Mace stressed that safety was its top priority and it was made clear that certain adverts for extended working were from sub-contractors down the supply chain.