- Middlesbrough accused Southampton of spying on their training session prior to the Championship play-off semi-final clash between the two clubs.
- The incident, which has been dubbed ‘Spygate’, reportedly involves a Southampton performance analyst, with the specific nature of the allegations thought to centre around filming and pictures taken to record training. The staff member was reportedly caught hiding behind a tree by a member of Boro’s media team.
- Southampton have been formally charged by the EFL with alleged spying and an independent disciplinary commission is assessing the charges, with a verdict expected to be delivered on Tuesday.
- Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has refused to comment on the situation, and walked out of his press conference early after his side’s victory over Middlesbrough that booked their place in the play-off final against Hull City.
- According to The Times, Southampton are more likely to be given a “sporting sanction” rather than a financial one. This could mean that Southampton are stripped of their place in the play-off final and replaced by Middlesbrough.
