Middlesbrough want Southampton kicked out of the Championship play-off final over the ‘Spygate’ scandal and have threatened legal action if this does not happen.
The Saints will go before an independent disciplinary commission to decide their fate after Daily Mail Sport revealed last week that Boro had caught one of their analysts, William Salt, allegedly recording training from behind a tree at Rockliffe Park, 48 hours before their play-off semi-final. The EFL then charged the south coast club with a breach of League rules.
And in a bombshell statement released on Friday, Middlesbrough called for Southampton to be expelled from next Saturday’s play-off final versus Hull City, which the EFL have admitted could be put back given the likely fallout from next week’s hearing.
‘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,’ said Middlesbrough, who were beaten 2-1 in Tuesday’s second leg.
‘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.
Southampton must be thrown out of the play-offs for their spying scandal, say Middlesbrough
William Salt, circled, is pictured with manager Tonda Eckert to mark February’s Manager of the Month award
Southampton ultimately beat Middlesbrough 2-1 on aggregate to reach the play-off final, which is scheduled for next Saturday at Wembley
‘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.’
Middlesbrough have also expressed frustration that they will not be allowed to participate in the hearing. They believe Southampton’s spying, under the management of Tonda Eckert, extends beyond this one incident.
The club statement said: ‘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.
‘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 club reserves all its legal rights.’
If it is proven that Southampton spied on opposition teams on several occasions, as a whistleblower is thought to have indicated in a statement to be used in evidence, Eckert’s side would likely be removed from the competition and Boro would take their place in the final.
Middlesbrough’s legal team are pushing for bank statements and electronic devices to be handed over as part of the case, given they could provide a paper trail of unsporting espionage around the country.
