The EFL has conceded that the Championship play-off final may have to be moved dependent on the outcome of the ‘Spygate’ hearing in which Southampton are accused of recording Middlesbrough’s training session.
As revealed by Daily Mail Sport last Thursday, a Southampton first-team analyst was caught allegedly filming Boro’s training from behind a tree ahead of Saturday’s play-off semi-final first leg, which ended goalless. On Friday night, the EFL charged the South Coast club with a breach of their rules.
Saints won the return leg 2-1 to set up a Wembley date versus Hull City, but that is now in doubt.
Boro are pushing for Southampton to be expelled and an independent commission will decide on the punishment by next week, leaving the date of the final and the identity of Hull’s opponents uncertain.
An EFL statement read: ‘The EFL can today provide an interim update on the ongoing disciplinary proceedings involving Southampton following Tuesday’s Championship Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg.
‘The Independent Disciplinary Commission hearing will take place on or before Tuesday 19 May. The exact date remains under discussion and is expected to be confirmed shortly.
The Championship play-off final could be postponed dependent on the outcome of the ‘Spygate’ scandal (pictured – the alleged Southampton analyst who was accused of spying)
William Salt, circled, pictured with manager Tonda Eckert to mark February’s Manager of the Month award, has been identified as the individual involved. He is an intern at the club
‘The Commission will issue its decision as soon as possible following consideration of the relevant submissions and evidence. As the proceedings are being conducted by an Independent Disciplinary Commission, the EFL does not control the proposed timetable.
‘Notwithstanding this, the EFL continues to plan on the basis that the Championship Play-Off Final will take place as scheduled on Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time confirmed as 4.30pm. Supporters should, however, be aware that the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture.
‘The EFL has a number of contingency plans should they be required, which also includes consideration of any appeal process, if required.’
Meanwhile, Daily Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Wednesday that the individual involved has been positively identified as Southampton intern William Salt.
Our Spygate investigation has also uncovered a picture of Salt on the shoulder of Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert, celebrating his manager of the month prize for February. Salt, say sources, is a key part of Eckert’s first-team operation and highly valued by the German.
Interestingly, he was not present on the picture of Eckert and his backroom staff released last Thursday to mark April’s manager of the month award. That was the same day he was pictured behind a tree at Boro’s training base before being confronted by club staff and fleeing the area after running into a nearby golf club and changing clothes in the toilet.
Eckert also won the divisional prize for March and, again, Salt was not on the celebratory picture released to the media on April 9. Southampton beat play-off rivals Derby County 2-1 two days later.
In another shock development, we understand the intern, formerly of Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, used his bank card on Thursday to buy a coffee at Rockliffe Hall Golf Club – owned by Boro chairman Steve Gibson.
The apparent slip has given rise to the possibility of a paper trail across the country, with transactions close to the bases of other Championship clubs in the days prior to playing Southampton.
We understand that one Championship club believe they were spied on after changing manager before playing Eckert’s side in December. CCTV is being reviewed. Since being appointed Saints boss in November, Eckert’s team have the second-best record from set-pieces in the Championship.
Boro now suspect that last Thursday’s episode was not the first time they have been the victim of such unsporting espionage.
That is why their legal team are pushing for Southampton and the individual accused of spying to provide all relevant documents and records linked to the case.
Southampton ultimately beat Middlesbrough 2-1 on aggregate to reach the play-off final, which is scheduled for next Saturday at Wembley
A whistleblower is understood to have provided a statement supporting the suspicion of Southampton spying on opponents before matches. If proven to be a systemic practice, it would raise serious questions over the futures of senior individuals within the club who sanctioned the tactic.
The EFL’s statement also comes after Southampton removed play-off final ticket information from their website, having initially revealed on Wednesday that sales would begin on Friday morning.
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The information had stated that tickets would be made available to season ticket holders who have attended 10 or more away games across the past two seasons.
Additional ticket windows for next Monday and Tuesday were also announced by the club.
Southampton had confirmed full ticket details, including coach travel and said that pricing would be released this morning.
The Championship side then pulled the information from their website. However, rather than being due to the ongoing spying investigation, it was reportedly because they are required by the EFL to publish ticket details at the same time as their opponents Hull City.
