New documents reveal Southampton's head coach, Tonda Eckert, initiated a practice of spying on rival teams. An intern was tasked with recording training sessions, with assurances that the "manager loved it." The club was expelled from playoffs after spying on Oxford United, Ipswich, and Middlesbrough.
Sunderland, defying expectations, finished seventh in the league and secured a Europa League spot with a win against Chelsea. Goals from Trai Hume and Brian Brobbey, despite a late consolation from Cole Palmer and a red card for Wesley Fofana, sealed the victory.
Southampton has been expelled from the Championship playoffs and handed a four-point deduction for next season after an independent commission found a "contrived and determined plan from the top down" to gain illicit information. Manager Tonda Eckert "specifically authorised" spying on opponents three times.
Wrexham forward Josh Windass has called for the Championship playoffs to be restarted with Wrexham included, following Southampton's expulsion for spying. Southampton is appealing the decision.
Southampton has been disqualified from the Championship playoffs and will have four points deducted next season after an analyst was caught spying on Middlesbrough's training sessions. Middlesbrough will take their place in the final.
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.
⚽️ Championship playoffs, 8pm BST kick-off (first leg: 0-0)⚽️ Saints launch review into spying allegations | Mail LukeIt’s THREE changes for Southampton. Kuryu Matsuki, Shea Charles and Ross Stewart come into the side.After the first leg, Luke Ayling of Middlesbrough was asked about the spy scandal. He was at Leeds when similar occurred under Marcelo Bielsa. He said he was “pleading the fifth”. Then, he said the players know nothing about that sort of thing. Continue reading...
Southampton face Middlesbrough in the Championship playoff semi-final second leg amidst spying allegations
Who will join Coventry and Ipswich in the top fight: Millwall, Hull City, Middlesbrough or Southampton?By Opta AnalystFor a while it looked as if Millwall would secure automatic promotion, but they finished a point behind Ipswich. Millwall have only spent two seasons in the English top flight. They won the Division Two title in 1987-88, finished 10th in their first season in the top flight and were relegated the following year having finished last. Continue reading...
Wrexham's bid for a fourth consecutive promotion ended in heartbreak as a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough saw them finish seventh, missing the Championship playoffs by two points behind Hull City.
