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Spygate / Championship Play Off Final

Discussion in 'General Football' started by Birky Bantam, May 18, 2026.

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  1. Birky Bantam

    Birky Bantam
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    It looks like the hearing will be tomorrow with the result expected also.

    As the outcome will be subject to appeal I don't see how the final can take place on Saturday as it's impossible for there to be an outcome which both sides will be happy with. Middlesbrough will only accept Southampton being expelled from the play offs and Southampton will never accept that so one side is bound to appeal it.

    It's a nightmare for the EFL and nothing they can do about it. If it was to be rearranged then Wembley looks unlikely as there are matches on both Saturday and Sunday the week after then after that you are into the internationals so both sides would lose players. It only leaves a midweek at Wembley or the weekend after at an available Premier League ground, the Etihad or Old Trafford would be best if it is Middlesbrough vs Hull.
     
    #1 Birky Bantam, May 18, 2026
  2. Frank Castle

    Frank Castle
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    It is my understanding that Middlesbrough are not involved in the hearing. For some reason they haven't been named as an 'interested party' and so will be unable to appeal anything. Therefor, only a decision to expel Southampton would see an appeal and I just can't see that.

    A huge fine, a manager ban and a suspended points deduction is the most likely outcome in my opinion, allowing the final to take place as scheduled.
     
    #2 Frank Castle, May 18, 2026
  3. SimonW

    SimonW
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    I would say the problem with moving the location is that they would have to make a decision where it was being moved to right now. I'm not sure how many grounds have but I wouldn't be surprised for example if work has already started on both the stadium and preparing the pitch for next season at any stadium such as Old Trafford where the last home game was this past weekend. And the rest of the grounds are likely to have the same happen to them next Monday (apart from London Stadium that has Soccer Aid that weekend)
     
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    #3 SimonW, May 18, 2026
  4. bailiff bridge bantam

    bailiff bridge bantam Impact Sub

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    You’re right.

    No way are they throwing Southampton out of the final
    Too much to change if they throw them out.
    Just won’t happen.
     
    #4 bailiff bridge bantam, May 18, 2026
    elleb and NorthernMonkey like this.
  5. Birky Bantam

    Birky Bantam
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    I've just read that, it seems very harsh on Middlesbrough to not be able to put forward a case and have the ability to appeal. If Southampton don't get kicked out it looks like this won't be the end of it with Middlesbrough saying "the club reserves all its legal rights" and appointing Nick De Marco KC to the case who has a lot of success so this could easily end up in court for damages at a later point
     
    #5 Birky Bantam, May 18, 2026
  6. Bronco

    Bronco
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    Southampton have been kicked out, I'm sure they will appeal.
     
    #6 Bronco, May 19, 2026
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  7. bailiff bridge bantam

    bailiff bridge bantam Impact Sub

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    I.Know.Football
     
    #7 bailiff bridge bantam, May 19, 2026
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  8. Birky Bantam

    Birky Bantam
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    They'll probably appeal as they don't have a lot of lose but if they do I'd hope the appeals panel increase the deduction for next season from 4 by a lot as they are banged to rights and they've admitted they've done it 3 times, being expelled is the least they deserve.
    If/when they lose if their appeal means the final is moved they should be liable for costs to fans and the EFL.
     
    #8 Birky Bantam, May 19, 2026
  9. Frank Castle

    Frank Castle
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    Wow. Very surprised by this. It will certainly act as a deterrent.
     
    #9 Frank Castle, May 19, 2026
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  10. Jordan

    Jordan
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    Sounds like Southampton are knacked. They also admitted on spying on other clubs with Ipswich & Oxford named.

    They dont have a leg to stand on. Feel for any Southampton fans who already bought a ticket.
     
    #10 Jordan, May 19, 2026
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  11. Jordan

    Jordan
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    Sky reporter was just saying he has been at the training ground all day incase anything broke and the club had no idea. Players were asking him, the Middlesbrough manager asked him if he heard anything about an hour and half ago and they didnt even know then.

    Middlesbrough lads need to get their heads right in such a short space of time now. Surely Hull are nailed on now?
     
    #11 Jordan, May 19, 2026
  12. Birky Bantam

    Birky Bantam
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    It also sounds like there is an appeal tomorrow, if there is how do the Middlesbrough players concentrate when there would be a chance it could be taken away in 24 hours time.

    The EFL can be thankful that Oxford finished 4 points from safety and beat Southampton in the game in question and the draw against Ipswich didn't make a difference other than the order of their semi final. I do struggle to believe that they spied on Oxford for the game in December and not the game in March so I wouldn't be surprised if there are other incidents that haven't been discovered.
     
    #12 Birky Bantam, May 19, 2026
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  13. Jordan

    Jordan
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    I mean, it's not like it was a silly prank, they've admitted to sending analysts down to multiple training grounds over the season. It's a pattern of bringing the game into disrepute and they know since the rules were brought in after Leeds did it, they cant spy otherwise they face big consequences like this.

    Watching a game and how they play in certain scenarios is one thing, but watching training sessions when they try play exact patterns, setups, set piece routines. Those aren't thing you could easily spot on a TV camera, but could be easier if you are filming private sessions.
     
    #13 Jordan, May 19, 2026
  14. Jordan

    Jordan
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    If they were doing it in December (as they've admitted) i struggle to believe they weren't doing it constantly either. Might be twitter bollocks, but apparently Oxford and Ipswich came to the EFL believing they had footage of the analyst at their complex. Coventry have been mentioned too, I reckon they've admitted to a bit to accept the book being thrown at them now rather than letting the independent team dig long enough.

    Sky were saying Derby and Wrexham are also looking into options on TV about 10/15 ago.
     
    #14 Jordan, May 19, 2026
  15. Tony Wilkinson

    Tony Wilkinson
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    What if the 'Boro players are already on the beach...?
     
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    #15 Tony Wilkinson, May 19, 2026
  16. Frank Castle

    Frank Castle
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    I feel the punishment is very harsh. For me you can only look at the one incident in terms of the playoffs and have to try determine if it had an impact on the result. I can't see how it could have had such an impact when they've got 46 matches that could be analysed.

    The other incidents should be looked at in terms of a large fine and points deduction, but shouldn't be taken into account in terms of the playoff punishment.
     
    #16 Frank Castle, May 19, 2026
  17. Idlebantam

    Idlebantam
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    They have been training since the defeat to Southampton, just in case. They will be well up for it.
     
    #17 Idlebantam, May 19, 2026
  18. NorthernMonkey

    NorthernMonkey Squad Player

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    Ridiculous decision to expel them. I'm expecting a quick appeal and every confidence that they'll have it overturned.
     
    #18 NorthernMonkey, May 19, 2026
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  19. Dennis

    Dennis
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    As well as the general issues linked to treating opposition clubs with respect, there's a specific EFL reg preventing one club observing another club's training sessions within 72 hours of a scheduled game between the two teams. It's regarded as cheating by the EFL. It appears that one of Southampton's analysts was even live streaming of Middleboro's training session before he was challenged and ran off.. Southampton deserve their punishment imo but I'm sure that the club will submit an appeal given the importance of the game. What was said in the report of the disciplinary panel will be critical in this. If the punishment is overturned, it will make a mockery of the EFL's Regs on this kind of issue.
     
    #19 Dennis, May 19, 2026
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  20. Idlebantam

    Idlebantam
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    Correct decision in my opinion. I am glad the EFL had the bottle to do it.

    Cheats should never prosper. They have also done it on other occasions this season and admitted to this.

    By the way, any one have any photos of anybody with a BWFC tracksuit hanging around Apperley Bridge last week
     
    #20 Idlebantam, May 19, 2026
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