Rickie Lambert drops emotional reaction to 'devastating' Southampton Spygate update | OneFootball

The former striker has been speaking openly about the decision to expel the Saints from the play-offs.

Southampton supporters would have woken up this morning hoping that last night was all a dream, but the reality of their play-off expulsion must surely be sinking in.

The Saints knew that they could be punished with anything from a fine to being kicked out of the competition entirely for spying on Middlesbrough's training session, but the independent commission's decision has shocked the country.

Not only were the South Coast outfit found guilty of observing Boro's training session, but they also admitted watching Ipswich Town and Oxford United's earlier in the campaign.

Understandably, there is a consensus that the decision was the right call as it sets a precedent for future wrongdoing, but former Southampton striker Rickie Lambert has reacted very differently.

Rickie Lambert expresses sympathy for Southampton

Southampton have taken a battering from the football community for their expulsion from the play-offs, with fierce rivals Portsmouth aiming a timely jab at the club.

The Saints have been replaced in the final by Middlesbrough, whom they defeated over two legs, and they will face Hull City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Of course, that could all change as the South Coast club has appealed the decision in the hope they will be reinstated, while the date of the final is subject to change depending on the outcome of the appeal.

Players past and present have been reacting to the extraordinary news, and now former Southampton star Lambert has had his say on the events.

Lambert was part of one of the most successful Saints sides in recent history, bagging 117 goals in 235 appearances for the club, leading them to an eighth-placed finish in 2013-14 as top goalscorer.

"I can't believe what's happened, I cannot believe it," he said while speaking on talkSPORT.

"And then the news last night, devastating, absolutely devastating. I'm devastated for the fans, devastated for the place, but the club have not made the mistake. The owners, the fans and the players have not made the mistake here.

"I don't want the whole club to be tarnished with this. This is a mistake by a very few amount of people in that club, and the fact that the players and the fans are getting tarnished and punished like this, I can't believe it. I cannot believe what's happened."

Rickie Lambert has a point despite Southampton's wrongdoing

While it is easy to laugh and joke at the Saints as a collective, the decision to spy on Middlesbrough's training session was taken by a small number of people.

Yes, Southampton supporters attended the play-off semi-finals with binoculars and leaves, all in good humour, but they are not the ones responsible for this mess, nor is the club as a whole, it seems.

However, what is clear is that a decision by an individual or small group will always affect how the club is viewed, as they are the ones representing the club, with the badge on their chest.

Other than the usual controversy involving football clubs, the South Coasters have a proud history and have never been considered a dirty side, but that has all changed and as long as current fans live, they will remember this for a long time.

An apology from the Saints would go a long way to rectifying the situation, but given that they are appealing the decision, it is understandable why that has not emerged just yet.

Arguably, it is the players who will feel the hardest done by, as they gave their all to turn the season around, coming from behind to defeat Boro on home soil.

Not only will they miss out on the final, but they will also miss out on the opportunity to play in the Premier League and reap all the financial rewards that come with it.