‘SpyGate’ listening to set to start as Southampton threat ban and play-off last below menace
EXCLUSIVE: Southampton’s fate is set to be decided by an independent hearing after the ‘SpyGate’ scandal – with the Saints potentially being kicked out of the play-offs
Southampton’s fate after SpyGate is set to be decided(Image: Robin Jones, Getty Images)
The independent inquiry into ‘Spygate’ is set to take place on Friday to determine the future of Southampton’s promotion hopes.
A panel consisting of three legal professionals are expected to conduct the meeting privately in London. Southampton have been accused by the EFL of spying on a training session conducted by semi-final opponents Middlesbrough prior to last week’s Championship play-off, first leg.
Southampton triumphed over Middlesbrough across two legs to arrange a final clash with Hull City. However, the marquee match, which carries a value exceeding £200m for the eventual victors, could be at serious risk of postponement. The commission will scrutinise the charges – and possesses the authority to boot Southampton out of the final if found culpable.
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But this would provoke a legal challenge from Southampton’s owners ‘Sport Republic’, which would need to take place this weekend if the play-off final was to proceed at Wembley on May 23. The EFL have been unable to confirm what time the match will commence.
Meanwhile, Hull have been left in a state of uncertainty due to the scandal. The Tigers have now appealed for patience from disgruntled fans, who have been unable to secure tickets or organise travel plans for the journey to London.
Tickets will not be printed or released until the result of the hearing has been established. The Tigers issued a statement indicating full details of the ticket sales process would be communicated “in due course”.
It stated: “Until then, we kindly ask support. ers to avoid contacting the ticket office while final details are being finalised. We appreciate your ongoing patience and support.”
An emotional Boro boss Kim Hellberg said about the semi-final defeat at St Mary’s: “What I could control was the tactical aspect of the game or helping my players more.
“When you have done that and, for a week or two weeks up to this game, put every second away from your family to watch Southampton every game you can to try to gain the advantage that we can actually get.
“If we wouldn’t have caught that man they sent up on a five-hour drive, you would sit there and say, well done, maybe, in the tactical aspect of the game and I would go home and feel like I had failed in that aspect I had to help my players with.
“When that is taken away from you in that way, when someone decides: ‘No, we’re not going to watch every game. We’ll send someone instead and film the session and see everything and hope we don’t get caught’. I guess that was why they were switching clothes and all those things.
“It breaks my heart in terms of all those things I believe in. That’s the thing. I don’t care if there are other rules in different countries. This is England where football is the biggest thing. That’s my feelings about it. I think it’s disgraceful. It makes me very sad.”
Meanwhile, Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert stormed out of a press conference at the weekend while facing questions about the SpyGate scandal
