Luke Ayling not pursuing discrimination claim against Taylor Harwood-Bellis amid ‘Spygate’ scandal | OneFootball

Middlesbrough player Luke Ayling has informed the Football Association that he will not pursue an allegation of a discriminatory remark made by Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis during Tuesday night’s Championship play-off semi-final.

The FA has now closed the matter, though the incident adds to a dramatic period for Southampton, who are grappling with a far more serious disciplinary issue concerning alleged spying.

It is understood that Ayling initially flagged to referee Andrew Madley that Harwood-Bellis had referenced his stammer. The official subsequently paused proceedings to speak with the coaches of both teams.

Following a review of Madley’s report, the Football Association contacted Middlesbrough on Wednesday, but was informed that Ayling did not wish to take the allegation further.

This development offers a minor reprieve for Southampton, who are currently facing charges from the English Football League (EFL) over claims they spied on a Middlesbrough training session last week.

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The two players were involved in a confrontation in the first half on Tuesday (Getty)

The timing for an independent commission hearing to examine these ‘Spygate’ charges remains unconfirmed, but the EFL has explicitly requested that the commission convenes at the earliest possible opportunity.

Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons issued a statement on Tuesday morning, requesting adequate time to properly respond to the charges. The commission’s potential sanctions range from a warning to expulsion.

Should a points penalty be recommended, the Premier League board has the authority to apply this sanction to the south-coast club’s table for next season, if they achieve promotion.

On Wednesday, the Daily Mail published photographs of the individual alleged to have been caught filming Boro’s training session last Thursday, identifying him as a member of head coach Tonda Eckert’s staff.

Southampton are preparing as normal for the play-off final and have announced ticket sales will commence on Friday morning, having initially indicated they would go on sale on Thursday.

The club has also launched a range of play-off final merchandise, offering fans items from flags to beer steins. Saints owner Dragan Solak attended Tuesday’s match and spent Wednesday in meetings with other club officials.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough players were travelling north on Wednesday and will go in for a debrief on Thursday. It is understood that even if the Teesside club had won, they would have been given Friday and Saturday off, so their schedule has so far not been altered by the uncertainty around ‘Spygate’.