Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has apologized for orchestrating the "Spygate" scandal, which led to the club being removed from Championship playoff contention. Owner Dragan Solak expressed full support for Eckert, aiming for Premier League promotion.
Southampton's head coach Tonda Eckert has apologized for orchestrating a spying scandal that led to the club's exclusion from the Championship playoff final. Owner Dragan Solak, however, expressed full support for Eckert, aiming for Premier League promotion next season.
Southampton presented training footage to the EFL to argue they gained no advantage from the Spygate scandal. Despite admitting to spying on Middlesbrough, Ipswich, and Oxford, the club believes the punishment of playoff expulsion and a four-point deduction is excessive. Other clubs, Millwall and Wrexham, are considering legal action.
Millwall and Wrexham are considering legal options after Southampton's expulsion from the Championship playoff final, with Middlesbrough replacing them. The clubs may seek compensation for flawed disciplinary processes or incorrect application of EFL rules.
Southampton's appeal against expulsion from the Championship playoff final for spying has been dismissed. The club also faces a four-point deduction next season. Hull will now contest the final against Middlesbrough.
Southampton have been expelled from the Championship playoffs for spying on rivals, with Middlesbrough reinstated to face Hull in the final. Southampton also face a four-point deduction next season and have appealed.
Middlesbrough seeks Southampton's expulsion from the Championship playoff final due to alleged training-ground spying, with an independent disciplinary hearing set to decide Southampton's fate amid potential sanctions ranging from fines to playoff expulsion.
Southampton may be expelled from the playoffs and the final delayed if found guilty of spying on Middlesbrough's training, breaching EFL regulations. An independent disciplinary commission will hear the case by May 19, with potential impacts on the scheduled final and opponents Hull, who are frustrated by the uncertainty.
Southampton advances to the Championship playoff final against Hull after defeating Middlesbrough, but faces potential disciplinary action over 'spygate' allegations of breaching EFL regulations by filming Middlesbrough's training session.
Southampton face Middlesbrough in the Championship playoff semi-final second leg amidst spying allegations
Saints ‘request time to complete process thoroughly’Playoff semi-final second leg at St Mary’s on TuesdaySouthampton have confirmed they have launched an internal review into allegations that one of their analysts spied on a Middlesbrough training session. Southampton, who host Boro in their playoff semi-final second leg on Tuesday, have asked for “the full context to be established before conclusions are drawn” after the English Football League charged the club with misconduct on the eve of their first-leg draw.An independent disciplinary commission will determine any punishment, with potential sanctions ranging from a fine to expulsion from the playoffs. Boro, who believe they caught a member of Southampton’s backroom staff on their premises last Thursday, 48 hours before the first leg that finished 0-0, are adamant Saints should not receive a financial penalty in the event they are found guilty. Continue reading...
BBC Sport looks back at 15 memorable moments from 40 years of the play-offs in the English Football League.
Shortly after Tonda Eckert had hightailed it out of the tetchiest of post-match press conferences, staring fixedly at the floor, Kim Hellberg made his anger plain. A playoff semi-final first leg dominated largely by the sweet-passing Middlesbrough was always likely to be overshadowed by the espionage scandal that preceded it and so it proved.Southampton are enveloped in a thoroughly unedifying episode with Middlesbrough accusing one of their analysts of spying on a training session that has resulted in a misconduct charge from the English Football League. Continue reading...
Shortly after Tonda Eckert had hightailed it out of the tetchiest of post-match press conferences, staring fixedly at the floor, Kim Hellberg made his anger plain. A playoff semi-final first leg dominated largely by the sweet-passing Middlesbrough was always likely to be overshadowed by the espionage scandal that preceded it and so it proved.Southampton are enveloped in a thoroughly unedifying episode with Middlesbrough accusing one of their analysts of spying on a training session that has resulted in a misconduct charge from the English Football League. Continue reading...
⚽ Championship updates from 12.30pm BST kick-off⚽ Read Football Daily | Follow us on Bluesky | Mail BillySouthampton have been charged with misconduct by the English Football League and will face an independent disciplinary commission set to be convened “at the earliest opportunity”.Middlesbrough remain furious after catching a man they maintain belongs to Tonda Eckert’s backroom staff allegedly spying on a vital training session before Saturday’s Championship playoff semi-final first leg against Southampton at the Riverside Stadium. Continue reading...
League to convene disciplinary panel at ‘earliest opportunity’Furious Boro want playoff opponents to be punished severelySouthampton have been charged with misconduct by the English Football League and will face an independent disciplinary commission set to be convened “at the earliest opportunity”.Middlesbrough remain furious after catching a man they maintain belongs to Tonda Eckert’s backroom staff allegedly spying on a vital training session before Saturday’s Championship playoff semi-final first leg against Southampton at the Riverside Stadium. Continue reading...
Investigation too late for Saturday’s game at the RiversideBoro want process sped up amid sanctions uncertaintyMiddlesbrough remain furious with Southampton after catching a man they believe is a member of Tonda Eckert’s backroom staff allegedly spying on a vital training session before Saturday’s Championship playoff semi-final first leg at the Riverside Stadium.Boro have reported the incident to the English Football League, as spying on opposition training is in breach of their regulations. The EFL is investigating the alleged misconduct and, as of Friday, were still waiting for an explanation of what happened from Southampton. Boro want the disciplinary process to be expedited but, as things stand, expect Saturday’s game to proceed as planned. Continue reading...
With the Wood one win from reaching the Football League for the first time, a veteran correspondent recalls lessons learned from their amateur daysThe years teach much which the days never know. This weekend Boreham Wood FC go to Wembley fighting for a place in that treasured home of the global game, the English Football League. Why will I be watching 7,000 miles away? Well, the experience of riding the Wood’s team bus 50-odd years ago taught me much that I have carried across our world ever since. So, I’ll be somewhat possessed this Sunday, Boreham Wood versus Rochdale, even though I live in that footie mecca on the other side of the world, Argentina.The memories are rich. Back then I’m on a gap year before university, a football captain at school sees an advert in his local paper for a reporter, urges me to apply, and I do, convincing one of the best editors I ever worked for (by the name of Roger Norman) to take me, and I spend a golden period reporting for the Borehamwood and Elstree Post. Elstree, with its film studios, the poor man’s Hollywood. Borehamwood, a working-class hinterland of my north London, with not much to celebrate. Continue reading...
West Bromwich Albion have been deducted two points by the English Football League for breaching profit and sustainability rules after an independent panel found their losses exceeded the £39m threshold for the three seasons to 2024-25. The club, which denied the allegations, now sits 20th in the Championship table, six points above the relegation zone with two games remaining. Albion need one more point to confirm survival and play Ipswich Town on Saturday before visiting already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday on the final day. The club has two weeks to appeal.
West Bromwich Albion have been deducted two points by the English Football League for breaching profit and sustainability rules after exceeding the £39m loss limit over three seasons to 2024-25. The club denied the allegations but an independent financial review panel found losses exceeded the threshold and recommended the penalty. Albion sit 20th in the Championship, six points above the relegation zone with two games to play, and have two weeks to appeal.
