Spurs only need one point to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16 stage, but a defeat would shatter their European dreams and see them knocked out in the group stage.
Tottenham currently sit top of Group D, one point ahead of Sporting and Eintracht Frankfurt who meet in tonight’s other group game, and two ahead of Marseille.
The North Londoners face the prospect of a tense evening in the cauldron of Marseille’s Stade Velodrome and they will be without the guidance of Conte from the sidelines.
But why exactly is Conte not on the bench for tonight’s game with Marseille? Here is the reason why he is missing.
Why is Antonio Conte not on the touchline for Tottenham this evening?
Conte will not be on the Tottenham bench for tonight’s fixture because he was sent off during Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Sporting.
Harry Kane’s late goal was disallowed for a controversial offside decision after a lengthy VAR review.
Conte was furious with the decision to rule out the goal and he angrily confronted the referee Danny Makkelie after the match had finished.
The Dutch referee subsequently gave Conte a red card and sent him off for his remonstrations.
As such, Conte was given a one match suspension, which is being served during tonight’s encounter with the Ligue Un side.
If the goal had of been allowed to stand, then Tottenham would have qualified there and then for the knock-out stages of the Champions League.
Speaking about the decision to chalk off Kane’s goal, Conte said after the match: ‘I would like to see if this type of decision is made with a top team in an important game.
‘I would like to see if the VAR is so brave enough to make an unfair decision.
‘I don’t see honesty in this type of situation, when I don’t see this I become really upset.’
Will Antonio Conte still be able to manage the team?
Conte has travelled with the rest of the squad to the south of France for tonight’s fixture.
However, he will not be allowed to enter any of the areas where he would usually carry out his work.
This means that the Italian will be banned from the touchline during the match and from the dressing room before the game and at half time.
The tunnel area will also be out of bounds for Conte, who will not be able to have any communication at all with the players before and during the match.
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