Southampton and Middlesbrough play the second leg of their play-off semi-final tonight amid the ‘Spygate’ scandal which has surrounded the tie
Southampton and Middlesbrough meet in the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final tonight, but much of the build-up has been dominated by a major ‘Spygate’ controversy.
Saints have been charged by the EFL following allegations that someone connected to the club filmed a private Middlesbrough training session ahead of Saturday’s first leg at the Riverside Stadium, which ended 0-0.
Now, with a place at Wembley against Hull City on the line, there are growing questions over what exactly happened, what punishment Southampton could face and whether the south coast side could even be thrown out of the play-offs.
Here is everything we know so far.
What are Southampton accused of?
Middlesbrough lodged an official complaint with the EFL after alleging that a person connected to Southampton carried out unauthorised filming of one of their private training sessions before the first leg.
The EFL subsequently charged Southampton with alleged breaches of regulations relating to observing another club’s training sessions and acting in “good faith”.
An EFL statement read: “Southampton have been charged with a breach of EFL regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.”
What punishment could Southampton face?
The big question is whether Southampton could actually be expelled from the Championship play-offs.
Reports claim Middlesbrough are pushing for a sporting punishment rather than a financial penalty, with comparisons being made to the infamous Marcelo Bielsa ‘Spygate’ incident at Leeds United in 2019.
Back then, Leeds were fined £200,000 after Bielsa admitted sending a staff member to spy on Derby County training sessions.
However, Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg believes a fine alone would not be enough.
He said: “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.”
Because the matter has been referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission, the panel would have the power to impose sporting sanctions if Southampton are found guilty.
That could theoretically include points deductions, expulsion from the play-offs or Middlesbrough being reinstated even if they lose tonight’s second leg.
According to reports, Boro are planning to continue training even if they are knocked out because they could yet replace Southampton in the final should sanctions follow.
What have Middlesbrough said?
Hellberg has been outspoken throughout the controversy and accused Southampton of trying to “cheat”.
He said: “We have watched every Southampton game there is, trying to find different solutions to beat them, how they press, how they build up, working hard with that.
“Putting every hour of the day to try to do what you should do, to get the advantage to win in the right way.
“But if someone makes decisions to go and try to cheat, that’s clear and it will be interesting to see what happens with that.”
The Middlesbrough head coach added: “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.”
What have Southampton said?
Southampton have largely remained tight-lipped throughout the saga.
The club initially released a short statement saying they would be “fully cooperating with the league throughout this process”.
But on the morning of the second leg, Saints CEO Phil Parsons issued a fresh statement.
He said: “The club is fully cooperating with the EFL and the Disciplinary Commission, whilst also undertaking an internal review to ensure that all facts and context are properly understood.
“We understand the discussion and speculation that has followed over recent days, but we also believe it is important that the full context is established before conclusions are drawn.”
Parsons also urged supporters to get behind the team ahead of tonight’s decisive clash at St Mary’s.
Other clubs raise suspicion
Part of the intrigue comes from the timing and the stakes involved.
A place in the Premier League — and the huge financial rewards that come with it — is on the line.
The allegations also emerged against the backdrop of Southampton’s remarkable 19-match unbeaten run which propelled them into the top six.
According to The Guardian, other clubs are understood to have contacted Middlesbrough to voice suspicions that Southampton may have observed training sessions previously.
Meanwhile, Southampton boss Tonda Eckert has repeatedly refused to discuss the allegations publicly.
After Saturday’s first leg, the German coach walked out of his press conference after repeatedly referring journalists back to the club’s official statement.
What happens next?
The second leg goes ahead as planned tonight at St Mary’s, with the tie level at 0-0.
But regardless of the result, the EFL investigation will continue.
Any disciplinary hearing is not expected to take place until after the semi-final, leaving only 11 days before the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
That means the outcome on the pitch tonight may not necessarily be the final chapter in one of the most explosive Championship controversies in recent years.
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