Ex-Middlesbrough player on independent commission denies bias claims over Southampton ‘Spygate’ verdict | OneFootball

A member of the independent commission which expelled Southampton from the play-offs has dismissed accusations of bias based on him playing a single match for Middlesbrough as "wholly without foundation".

David Winnie, a footballer turned solicitor, played one match for Boro 33 years ago. He was part of a three-person panel which removed Southampton from the play-offs for spying on a Middlesbrough training session ahead of their semi-final first leg.

Social media commentary questioned whether that link brought his independent status into question, but Winnie said on Friday: "The suggestion that a single appearance for Middlesbrough Football Club more than three decades ago could in any way influence my judgment as a member of an independent disciplinary commission is wholly without foundation."

He continued: "My involvement with the club consisted of one professional appearance approximately 33 years ago and has no bearing whatsoever on my ability to approach these proceedings impartially and objectively.

“As with all commission members, my duty was to consider only the evidence, the applicable EFL regulations, and the submissions advanced by the parties. The decision reached was unanimous and followed detailed legal argument, documentary evidence, witness testimony and careful deliberation by an experienced independent panel."

Kim Hellberg’s Middlesbrough will now play in Saturday’s play-off final (PA)

Winnie added: "At no stage was any issue raised by either party regarding my independence or suitability to sit on the commission. Had there been any legitimate basis for concern, the appropriate procedures existed for that to be addressed before the hearing proceeded.

“Professional integrity in these proceedings is paramount. My role was to uphold the integrity of the competition and apply the regulations fairly, without fear or favour, and that is precisely what the commission did."

The EFL has also been approached for comment. The commission found Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert had authorised the spying mission at Boro, and earlier visits to training sessions held by Oxford and Ipswich.

The commission said it was "particularly deplorable" that junior staff were delegated to carry out the observations, with the intern caught at Boro’s training session telling the commission he felt pressured to do it.

Winnie, the partner and head of sports at Gilson Gray LLP, acknowledged that the commission’s decision would have "serious ramifications" across football, but added: "The commission’s duty was not to consider popularity, reputation or consequence in isolation, but to uphold the integrity of the competition and apply the regulations fairly, independently and without fear or favour."

He concluded: "The commission unanimously concluded that the conduct in question represented a deliberate and organised attempt to obtain a competitive advantage in breach of fundamental principles of sporting integrity and good faith. Football depends upon public trust.

“Supporters, clubs, players and stakeholders must have confidence that competitions are conducted on a level playing field. This outcome reflects the seriousness with which the commission viewed repeated breaches of the regulations, particularly within the context of one of the most financially and competitively significant competitions in English football.

“The message is clear: cheating, in any form, has no place in the game and will not be tolerated. Whilst the sanctions imposed are severe, the commission considered them necessary, proportionate and essential to protect the integrity and credibility of English football moving forward."