The ‘Spygate’ saga continues to develop just over a week out from the world’s biggest game
Middlesbrough were beaten 2-1 after extra-time against Southampton in the play-off semi-final(Image: Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Middlesbrough have called on the EFL to kick Southampton out of the Championship play-off final against Hull City, which is scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium next Saturday.
Southampton have been charged with spying on Boro’s training session ahead of last Saturday’s play-off semi-final first leg at the Riverside Stadium, which ended goalless.
The South Coast club won the second leg 2-1 after extra-time, but now face disciplinary proceedings with an independent panel expected to hand out their punishment early next week, with a chance the game could yet be postponed despite tickets going on sale on Friday.
One of the punishments could be expulsion from the play-off final, while a heavy fine and points deduction are also possible sanctions, but Boro want their Championship rivals booted out. The Teesside outfit stopped short of suggesting they should take the place of Tonda Eckert’s side, but did reveal their frustrations at not being allowed to be part of the independent panel’s hearing
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“Middlesbrough FC notes the decision of the Disciplinary Commission not to permit the club to intervene in the proceedings brought by the EFL against Southampton FC,” Boro wrote in a statement on Friday.
“The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact.
“The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition. In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final.
“We remain hopeful that the EFL, as regulator, will pursue such a sanction before the Disciplinary Commission in order to protect the integrity of the game, safeguard all member clubs, and deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League. The club reserves all its legal rights.”
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