Southampton boss Tonda Eckert could face a ban after the club were charged with EFL misconduct when a member of their analyst staff was allegedly caught spying on Middlesbrough
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert or technical director Johannes Spors could face a suspension if they are discovered to have instructed the alleged SpyGate operation that has brought a cloud over the club.
The Saints secured their spot at Wembley this week by defeating Middlesbrough in their play-off semi-final. Shea Charles’ strike deep into extra-time proved sufficient for triumph, though it followed accusations of spying prior to the first-leg at the Riverside Stadium at the weekend.
Southampton were charged by the EFL with misconduct after Boro reportedly caught a member of their analyst team conducting surveillance at their Rockliffe training facility. It has raised questions over whether the south coast outfit will face Hull for the right to play in the Premier League.
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The hearing, which is yet to be scheduled, will be overseen by an independent disciplinary panel. One of the potential consequences, should Southampton be deemed guilty, could be to suspend Eckert or Spors from matches, reports The Sun.
The suspected individual concerned has been named as intern William Salt. He was photographed concealing himself behind a tree while using his mobile device to observe the Teessiders’ training session before being confronted.
Salt has previously been pictured alongside Saints manager Eckert when he celebrated his Sky Bet Championship manager of the month accolade in February. He has not appeared in more recent photographs.
Middlesbrough are prepared to present their argument and are believed to possess details of a credit card utilised by the individual at the golf club next to Rockliffe, part of the facility owned by Boro chairman Steve Gibson, which could potentially form part of evidence that strengthens their case.
Gibson has called on the expertise of prominent sports lawyer Nick De Marco and the Teesside club are demanding the EFL hearing starts before the weekend so that clarification can be achieved.
Kim Hellberg, who delivered a heartfelt reaction after Middlesbrough’s campaign concluded at St Mary’s on Tuesday night, and his squad are continuing to train as the prospect remains that Southampton could be removed from the play-off final, which might see them restored.
In a humiliating U-turn Southampton have been forced to remove all ticketing announcements, which they mistakenly published on Wednesday night as they released information for the final. The club say the mix-up over tickets was because they were supposed to publish details simultaneously with fellow finalists Hull.