Middlesbrough have demanded Southampton be excluded from the Championship play-off final, describing their exit as the “only appropriate response” to the ongoing Spygate scandal.
Southampton, who beat Boro 2-1 in the play-off semi-finals, have been charged with breaching EFL regulations after Middlesbrough complained that Southampton staff spied on their training sessions.
On Friday, Middlesbrough said the spying charges “go to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition. The only appropriate response in these circumstances is a sporting sanction to prevent Southampton FC from competing in the EFL Championship play-off final.”
Southampton are currently scheduled to play Hull City in the final at Wembley on Saturday, May 23rd.
However, the EFL confirmed on Thursday that the final could be rescheduled as a result of the ongoing investigation. An independent hearing to decide Southampton’s fate is expected to be held by Tuesday, May 19th.
Middlesbrough will not be allowed to take part in the hearing.
“The club regrets this outcome, given that it has been directly affected by the matter under consideration and holds relevant factual evidence regarding the events in question and their impact on the competition,” Boro said.
Sky Sports News has obtained a photo of a man with a camera outside Middlesbrough’s training ground.
Sky Sports News decided to blur the man’s face in the photo. Southampton declined to comment when asked about the photo.
Middlesbrough’s full statement
Middlesbrough said in a statement:
“Middlesbrough FC takes note of the disciplinary committee’s decision not to allow the club to intervene in the proceedings brought by the EFL against Southampton FC.”
“The club regrets this outcome, given that it has been directly affected by the matter under consideration and holds relevant factual evidence regarding the events in question and their impact on the competition.”
“The conduct in question, namely the observation and recording of training sessions in advance of such an important match, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition.”In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction preventing Southampton FC from competing in the EFL Championship play-off final.
“We continue to expect that the EFL, as a regulatory body, will seek such sanctions from its disciplinary committee in order to protect the integrity of the game, protect all member clubs and deter any attempts to gain unfair and illegal benefits in the pursuit of promotion to the Premier League in the future.”
Is there a possibility that the date of the playoff final will be changed?
That independent committee is expected to meet by next Tuesday to decide what will happen to the Saints. Saints are scheduled to play Hull City at Wembley on Saturday, May 23, with kick-off currently scheduled for 4.30pm.
However, the EFL said it had contingency plans in place to change the final procedure “if necessary”, including in the event of a public hearing appeal process.
The exact date and time of the first independent hearing has not yet been determined.
“The EFL has no control over the proposed dates as the proceedings are being carried out by an independent disciplinary committee,” the EFL said in a statement.
“Despite this, the EFL continues to plan for the Championship play-off final to take place as planned on Saturday 23 May, with kick-off time set for 4.30pm.
“However, supporters should be aware that the match may be subject to change depending on the outcome of any disciplinary proceedings. The EFL has a number of contingency plans in place, including consideration of an appeals process if necessary.”
