Middlesbrough could make the Championship play-off final even if they lose their semi-final second leg, should rivals Southampton be removed from the postseason
An independent disciplinary commission could kick Southampton out of the Championship play-offs if they are found to have filmed and observed a Middlesbrough training session. The Saints are charged with breaching two EFL regulations around acting in good faith and watching other teams train in the days before they are scheduled to play against them.
Boro complained to the league about their alleged unauthorised filming on private property. It is said that the club’s hierarchy will push for their expulsion.
Any hearing would only happen after Tuesday’s semi-final second leg. There would then be 11 days until the final at Wembley Stadium.
The Mail claims that the North East club will continue training even if they exit the post-season, because Boro may still replace their under-investigation opponents. They want Southampton to receive a ‘sporting’ sanction rather than a financial one, as Marcelo Bielsa paid for Leeds United seven years ago.
READ MORE: Southampton face further scrutiny as Middlesbrough ‘approached by other clubs over spy fears’READ MORE: Hull City reach Championship playoff final as Millwall suffer more heartbreak at The Den
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Their coach, Kim Hellberg, said of potential punishments for their opponents: “Who will get the fine? Should they just pay (it) to the EFL?
“So, they see everything we do, and that’s OK? I just think it’s weird (that) they do that and try to cheat in this type of game.
“I know Bielsa paid £200,000, but that was not the law then. I think a lot of clubs will pay that amount to try to get an advantage by seeing you in the two sessions before a game.
“If it’s a game of this magnitude, clubs would pay that, but it’s not legal, so they should not do it. What the punishment should be, that is not my decision to make.
“It’s not the players that have done anything, it’s not the fans that have done anything. So, it’s not my decision to make. I’m just telling you the facts, and you can see the facts too. We will see what happens.”
Southampton, meanwhile, have said little about the situation. The south coast club says it: “Acknowledges the statement issued by the EFL in relation to alleged breaches of EFL Regulations.
“We can confirm that we will be fully cooperating with the League throughout this process. Given the ongoing nature of the matter, the club is unable to comment any further at this time.”
Their head coach, Tonda Eckert, has refused to expand on what the club have said publicly. He repeatedly referred to their statement when facing questions before and after the first leg on Saturday, which finished 0-0.
The Guardian reported this week that other clubs have approached Middlesbrough to speak of their own suspicions of being spied on by Southampton. The Saints finished the season with a remarkable 19-match unbeaten run that helped propel them to a top-six finish.
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