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#Post#: 105859--------------------------------------------------
Re: Spygate 2.0 (Southampton)
DIR By: Leggy
Date: May 13, 2026, 12:47 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: TA_Ref link ---
>
> [quote author=Leggy link=topic=8002.msg105851#msg105851
date=1778690199]
> Southampton should be removed from the play-offs and the two
losing sides (Middlesborough & Millwall) play a one-off match to
see who plays Hull in the final. Play-off to take place on
Sunday / Monday with the final at Wembley on Saturday as
originally scheduled.
>
--- End Quote ---
I understand the rationale behind the idea but how could you
give Millwall the opportunity to get to the play off final when
they have been beaten fair and square over a two-legged tie and
reward them over an incident that hasn’t affected them in any
way possible.
I’m all for throwing suggestions out there but if it is a
sporting sanction then the only thing I see possible is to kick
them out but I really don’t know.
[/quote]
I am sorry - this is the "Club Chat" section and I am a Millwall
fan!!
#Post#: 105888--------------------------------------------------
Re: Spygate 2.0 (Southampton)
DIR By: rustyref
Date: May 13, 2026, 6:20 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Leggy link ---
>
> Southampton should be removed from the play-offs and the two
losing sides (Middlesborough & Millwall) play a one-off match to
see who plays Hull in the final. Play-off to take place on
Sunday / Monday with the final at Wembley on Saturday as
originally scheduled.
>
--- End Quote ---
There isn't time. The independent commission have to come to a
decision, then if they found against Southampton they get time
to appeal, even if the normal 14 day appeal window is waived
there just isn't time, they'd have to be given at least a few
days to appeal. The play off final is 10 days from now, and
after that players will be off to join up with international
squads so it can't be pushed back any later. It isn't like a
cup final where you can come back and play it at the start of
next season, so it has to be sorted out incredibly quickly, this
is all unprecendented.
My gut feeling is there will be recompense to Middlesbrough from
Southampton, and that should be based on whether they go back up
or not. If they don't got up it would be low, if they do it
would be millions, which would lead to the perverse situation of
Boro fans supporting Southampton in the final. I don't think
the EFL commission could take that route, but it has been
reported Boro have recruited the services of Nick de Marco,
which to me says they are going down the route of if the EFL
find against Southampton but just fine them they will be going
after compensation. And we know how good he is is, he has got
multiple clubs off of points deductions, the most recent being
Sheffield Wednesday.
#Post#: 105905--------------------------------------------------
Re: Spygate 2.0 (Southampton)
DIR By: Leggy
Date: May 14, 2026, 5:45 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: rustyref link ---
>
> [quote author=Leggy link=topic=8002.msg105851#msg105851
date=1778690199]
> Southampton should be removed from the play-offs and the two
losing sides (Middlesborough & Millwall) play a one-off match to
see who plays Hull in the final. Play-off to take place on
Sunday / Monday with the final at Wembley on Saturday as
originally scheduled.
>
--- End Quote ---
There isn't time. The independent commission have to come to a
decision, then if they found against Southampton they get time
to appeal, even if the normal 14 day appeal window is waived
there just isn't time, they'd have to be given at least a few
days to appeal. The play off final is 10 days from now, and
after that players will be off to join up with international
squads so it can't be pushed back any later. It isn't like a
cup final where you can come back and play it at the start of
next season, so it has to be sorted out incredibly quickly, this
is all unprecendented.
My gut feeling is there will be recompense to Middlesbrough from
Southampton, and that should be based on whether they go back up
or not. If they don't got up it would be low, if they do it
would be millions, which would lead to the perverse situation of
Boro fans supporting Southampton in the final. I don't think
the EFL commission could take that route, but it has been
reported Boro have recruited the services of Nick de Marco,
which to me says they are going down the route of if the EFL
find against Southampton but just fine them they will be going
after compensation. And we know how good he is is, he has got
multiple clubs off of points deductions, the most recent being
Sheffield Wednesday.
[/quote]
I get that and my suggestion was made with tongue firmly in
cheek. Your "gut feeling" does not, however, feel equitable.
Southamption have beaten Middlesborough so any benefit they may
have gained from spying has served its purpose. The sanction
should reflect that and not be dependent on whether Southamption
win at Wembley. Any financial penalty will be significantly
outweighed by the financial benefit of being promoted. It
should be points next season and the EPL should honour the
sanction if Southampton do make it.
#Post#: 105916--------------------------------------------------
Re: Spygate 2.0 (Southampton)
DIR By: rustyref
Date: May 14, 2026, 9:38 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Leggy link ---
>
> [quote author=rustyref link=topic=8002.msg105888#msg105888
date=1778714458]
> [quote author=Leggy link=topic=8002.msg105851#msg105851
date=1778690199]
> Southampton should be removed from the play-offs and the two
losing sides (Middlesborough & Millwall) play a one-off match to
see who plays Hull in the final. Play-off to take place on
Sunday / Monday with the final at Wembley on Saturday as
originally scheduled.
>
--- End Quote ---
There isn't time. The independent commission have to come to a
decision, then if they found against Southampton they get time
to appeal, even if the normal 14 day appeal window is waived
there just isn't time, they'd have to be given at least a few
days to appeal. The play off final is 10 days from now, and
after that players will be off to join up with international
squads so it can't be pushed back any later. It isn't like a
cup final where you can come back and play it at the start of
next season, so it has to be sorted out incredibly quickly, this
is all unprecendented.
My gut feeling is there will be recompense to Middlesbrough from
Southampton, and that should be based on whether they go back up
or not. If they don't got up it would be low, if they do it
would be millions, which would lead to the perverse situation of
Boro fans supporting Southampton in the final. I don't think
the EFL commission could take that route, but it has been
reported Boro have recruited the services of Nick de Marco,
which to me says they are going down the route of if the EFL
find against Southampton but just fine them they will be going
after compensation. And we know how good he is is, he has got
multiple clubs off of points deductions, the most recent being
Sheffield Wednesday.
[/quote]
I get that and my suggestion was made with tongue firmly in
cheek. Your "gut feeling" does not, however, feel equitable.
Southamption have beaten Middlesborough so any benefit they may
have gained from spying has served its purpose. The sanction
should reflect that and not be dependent on whether Southamption
win at Wembley. Any financial penalty will be significantly
outweighed by the financial benefit of being promoted. It
should be points next season and the EPL should honour the
sanction if Southampton do make it.
[/quote]
There's no provision to apply a sanction earned in one
competition to a different competition, I don't see how it can
happen. That's how the EPL and EFL got themselves in such a
mess over Leicester's P&S breaches.
My suggestion isn't that outlandish. In 2022 Middlesbrough took
legal action against Derby saying their P&S breaches cost them a
place in the play offs and therefore potentially millions of
pounds. In the end they settled out of court, and I can see
exactly the same happening here but on a much bigger financial
scale.
Although it has just been reported that Hull have been told to
prepare for the play off final being delayed, which suggests to
me the EFL are preparing to replay one or both legs.
#Post#: 105921--------------------------------------------------
Re: Spygate 2.0 (Southampton)
DIR By: TheThingFromLewes
Date: May 14, 2026, 10:37 am
---------------------------------------------------------
What is the maximum possible punishment Southampton could
receive?
Could they be booted out altogether and Hull are promoted
without a final?
Will the second leg have to be replayed?
#Post#: 105922--------------------------------------------------
Re: Spygate 2.0 (Southampton)
DIR By: ShoeRef
Date: May 14, 2026, 10:40 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I can't personally see any reasoning to replay the match between
Middlesbrough and Southampton. It's not like the spying affected
the match result in a way that it wouldn't affect a replayed
match.
Also, the suggestion above, appreciate Leggy said was tongue in
cheek, would be ludicrous, if they brought Millwall back in to a
one off playoff match to reach the final. Could you imagine the
kick off by Hull if a team they already knocked out fair and
square beat them in the final?
#Post#: 105926--------------------------------------------------
Re: Spygate 2.0 (Southampton)
DIR By: rustyref
Date: May 14, 2026, 11:34 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: ShoeRef link ---
>
> I can't personally see any reasoning to replay the match
between Middlesbrough and Southampton. It's not like the spying
affected the match result in a way that it wouldn't affect a
replayed match.
>
> Also, the suggestion above, appreciate Leggy said was tongue
in cheek, would be ludicrous, if they brought Millwall back in
to a one off playoff match to reach the final. Could you imagine
the kick off by Hull if a team they already knocked out fair and
square beat them in the final?
>
--- End Quote ---
Millwall being brought back is the one outcome that definitely
won't happen. This is the EFL statement released this afternoon
...
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, May 19. The exact date remains under
discussion and is expected to be confirmed shortly.
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, May 23, with kick-off confirmed for
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.
#Post#: 105933--------------------------------------------------
Re: Spygate 2.0 (Southampton)
DIR By: HChip
Date: May 14, 2026, 3:40 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
If Southampton are exiled from the play-offs, I assume they
would move the Championship final as chaotic as it may be. They
would have no choice but to reinstate Middlesbrough, I doubt
they’d give Hull a free ride.
Ticketing, travel, fitness, accommodation all need to be sorted
which takes a heck of a lot of planning. It’s not as easy as
‘get this bus, this hotel, this amount of tickets’.
That is an assumption and by no means a fact and I am fully
aware an investigation is ongoing and the results are unknown
and still in the balance!
#Post#: 105951--------------------------------------------------
Re: Spygate 2.0 (Southampton)
DIR By: ShoeRef
Date: May 15, 2026, 3:18 am
---------------------------------------------------------
There could be further ramifications now regardless of the
outcome too.
I can't see that it will be significant enough to obtain
results, but I can see a complaint incoming from Hull if they
lose. Both Middlesbrough and Southampton can prepare for the
final on the basis that if they play in it, they'll be playing
Hull.
Hull have the disadvantage of currently not knowing who they
will be playing, and they may attempt to complain about the lack
of prep time vs their opponents if they lose.
#Post#: 106334--------------------------------------------------
Re: Spygate 2.0 (Southampton)
DIR By: HChip
Date: May 19, 2026, 12:46 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Southampton have been expelled from the EFL Championship Playoff
Final with Middlesbrough being reinstated.
Southampton will also receive a 4 point deduction at the start
of the 2026/2027 season.
Very fair punishment in my eyes. Cheating being punished!
Southampton admitted to actions of spying on Oxford United, Dec
25, and Ipswich Town, Apr 26, on top of Middlesbrough.
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