- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,151,689
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert is eagerly awaiting the result of an EFL hearing regarding 'Spygate' -Credit:Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
The EFL Championship Playoff Final is a matter of days away, with Wembley Stadium primed to host Southampton and Hull City on Saturday to decide which team will join Coventry City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League next season.
However, the ongoing 'Spygate' saga threatens to derail the Saints' promotion push, as the fallout continues after they were alleged to have spied on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough during a training session.
More specifically, it was Southampton intern analyst William Salt who was photographed supposedly filming the session in question, as per The Mirror.
- Carlo Ancelotti names Brazil’s World Cup team with Neymar included as Chelsea star snubbed
- Pep Guardiola to leave Manchester City after trophy-laden decade in charge
You must be registered for see images attach
The Saints are alleged to have sent an intern to 'spy' on Middlesbrough during a training session -Credit:Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Naturally, this triggered the EFL to launch an investigation into the alleged incident, with Southampton set to learn the result of the hearing on Wednesday, as per The Times.
This will follow the independent commission's hearing itself, which is set for Tuesday, with the report stating that the teams will learn of the outcome no more than 24 hours later.
If proven guilty, potential sanctions vary widely from a points deduction to a financial fine, or even expulsion from the Final altogether. However, expulsion is said to be 'unlikely,' as per The Daily Echo, with other 'sporting sanctions' supposedly on the table if Southampton's leadership were proven to be in the know of any spying.
Individual sanctions could also be imposed, with Saints boss Tonda Eckert and sporting director Johannes Spors both potentially in line for suspensions if proven guilty, while Salt could also be sanctioned.
To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE
Weighing in on the situation with Sky Sports, former Hull defender Michael Dawson said: "Well, I absolutely hate it. The integrity of the game, the sportsmanship, and yes, look, managers, players, you try to make an advantage wherever you can, but going to do, if found guilty is unacceptable.
"They've got a big decision to make and they have to make it quick, cos you've got to think of all the Hull City fans that have booked the travel, the hotel, what will be the outcome?"
Dawson added: "Only time will tell, but the EFL have certainly got a big, big decision to be made because we saw what happened with Leeds United when they were fined £200,000 a few years ago. I don't like it, and I expect them to be punished severely."
The punishment Leeds faced back in 2019 came after they were caught spying on Derby County, with the EFL stating at the time that along with the fine, "Leeds United has agreed to support a new EFL Regulation that make it clear that Clubs will be expressly prohibited from viewing opposition training in the 72 hours immediately prior to a fixture, unless invited to do so," via ESPN.
This later became Regulation 127, which is currently defined in the EFL's rulebook as follows: "Without prejudice to the requirements of Regulation 3.4 (that each Club shall behave towards each other Club with the utmost good faith), no Club shall directly or indirectly observe (or attempt to observe) another Club’s training session in the period of 72 hours prior to any match scheduled to be played between those respective Clubs."
Continue reading...
