Kim Helberg said the ‘Spygate’ saga that overshadowed Middlesbrough’s Championship play-off semi-final defeat to Southampton was “disgraceful” and “heartbreaking”.
Southampton staff were allegedly caught trying to watch Middlesbrough train last Thursday.
After a goalless draw in Saturday’s first leg, Shay Charles’ 116th-minute winning goal gave Saints a 2-1 aggregate victory and a place in the play-off final at Wembley on Saturday 23 May.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final second leg between Southampton and Middlesbrough
“I worked as a coach for 15 years with the aim of reaching the Premier League. That was my dream for 15 years,” he said at the post-match press conference.
“I know there are clubs that have more resources, more parachute payments and can spend more money. There are teams that have bigger teams than us and can spend more money.
“What we have as a coach and as a group is the tactical element of the game where we can beat the opposition and I think that’s what everyone loves about the game. So I look at England and I think it’s the home of football and I think it’s where I want to be and where I dream of being. You take so much pride in your football and I think that’s really great. That’s why I wanted to be here.”
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Sky Sports News reporter Keith Downie revealed that Middlesbrough staff were examining CCTV footage on Friday after Southampton staff were suspected of spying on training sessions.
“When you have more money and stuff, you try to find ways to get an advantage. That’s the way I try to go with my team. That’s what you always try to do, because we could be better in that element.”
“Alex Neil said something very nice after the[Millwall]game. He said, “I think we let people down because we didn’t win.” Managers often go home with that feeling because I think what I can control is the tactical side of the game and helping the players more.
“When you’ve done that and you’ve spent the week or two leading up to this game, away from your family, watching every Southampton game as hard as you can and trying to get any real advantage you can, if you hadn’t caught that player they sent on a five-hour drive, you’d sit there and say you probably did a good job on the tactical side of the game, and I’d go home and feel like I failed on the side where I had to help the players.
“When it was taken away from us in that way, when someone decided, ‘No, we’re not going to watch every match. Instead, we’re going to send someone to film the sessions and watch everything and hope we don’t get caught.’ I think that’s why they swapped clothes and everything else.
“It breaks my heart to think about everything I believe in. That’s the problem.
“I don’t care if different countries have different rules. This is England, where football is the most important thing.
“That’s how I feel. I think it’s shameful. It’s very sad.”
Asked if he thought Tonda Eckert knew about the “espionage” allegations, Helberg simply said, “I can’t answer that. No comment.”
Eckert starts walking again
Meanwhile, Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert walked out of Saturday’s postgame press conference after being questioned about “Spygate.”
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Southampton manager Tonda Eckert leaves first-leg post-match press conference after refusing to answer ‘Spygate’ questions
And on Tuesday night, when the second question at the press conference was, “Are you a fraud?” he walked out again.
The spokesperson who accompanied him immediately ended the report and told the journalist in question to “show some respect.”
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Southampton’s Tonda Eckert left a press conference early after being asked if she was a “fraud” following Saints’ “Spygate” saga over their play-off showdown with Middlesbrough.
What happens next?
Given the “nature of the matter” and the possibility that anything could happen despite Tuesday night’s result, the EFL is recommending a disciplinary hearing before the final.
Southampton’s chief executive asked for time for an internal investigation in a statement on Tuesday, but a decision on the hearing will be made by an independent disciplinary committee.
Although “espionage” had occurred in 2019, there were no clear regulations prohibiting it at the time, and the Leeds player was punished based on the “good faith rule”. This law still exists, along with Rule 127, which makes it illegal to spy within 72 hours after a game.
In that sense, this is the first time the law has been truly put to the test, with any type of punishment left to the discretion of an independent disciplinary commission.
It is understandable that Boro believe Southampton have clearly committed ‘cheating’ and that the club want the harshest possible punishment – and a sporting one. Boro’s view is that fines mean little.
Southampton ask EFL to allow more time for internal review
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Boro manager Kim Helberg says he can’t believe his eyes and ears after Southampton were accused of spying on the team.
Before Tuesday’s match, Southampton asked for time to conduct an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the ‘Spygate’ scandal.
The club was charged by the EFL on Friday, which asked the independent disciplinary committee to shorten the response period from the usual 14 days and hold a hearing “at the earliest possible opportunity”.
Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons said on the club’s official website: “The club is cooperating fully with the EFL and disciplinary committee, while also conducting an internal investigation to ensure all facts and context are properly understood.”
“Given the density of the game schedule and the short turnaround time between games, we requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly.
“While we understand the discussion and speculation over the past few days, we also believe it is important to establish the full situation before any conclusions are drawn.”
