Southampton spying scandal chaos deepens as Middlesbrough denied key hearing role | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have accused Southampton of spying on their pre-match training for their play-off semi-final

Middlesbrough missed out on the chance to compete in the play-off final with their 2-1 loss to Southampton in the semi-finals.

Kim Hellberg’s side were in contention for automatic promotion for much of the campaign, but slipped out of the top two in the final weeks.

They ultimately finished fifth in the Championship table, level on points with the Saints, which led to them meeting in the play-offs.

But the lead-up to their first leg clash at the Riverside sparked massive controversy after the Teesside outfit allegedly caught a Southampton staff member spying on their pre-match training session.

Tensions were high as the two teams faced off, but Tonda Eckert’s side eventually came out on top after extra time courtesy of a Shea Charles striker.

The EFL have charged the Hampshire outfit for breaching the rules against spying, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be, or what punishment they face if found guilty.

Middlesbrough suffer hearing setback

It has been reported by The Athletic that Middlesbrough have been denied access to the hearing led by an independent commission regarding Southampton’s spying case.

As a result, it’s understood that Boro will not be able to appeal the outcome of the case, should they be unhappy with the verdict.

Any number of options are on the table, including the Saints potentially being expelled from the play-offs, with the Teesside outfit pushing for sporting sanctions.

Leeds United were previously fined £200,000 for their role in spying on Derby County’s pre-match training session in 2019.

This led to the EFL introducing a rule prohibiting the tactic, and it remains to be seen what kind of punishment is now in store as a result of a possible guilty verdict.

Middlesbrough have supplied evidence, including images of the spy in question, and they will be allowed to make a written submission as part of the hearing due to their role as an interested party.

However, they have been denied access to the hearing, with no firm date given on when this will begin.

The EFL are hoping the independent commission can speed up the process of undertaking the case due to time sensitivity, with the play-off final currently scheduled for 23 May.

Hull City await in the final, but it remains to be seen whether they will face Southampton, or if Middlesbrough could be reinstated into the promotion shootout.

Middlesbrough will have to accept the hearing’s final decision

Middlesbrough may not want to appeal the decision of the hearing if they get their way and are reinstated into the play-offs in favour of Southampton.

However, if they are unhappy with the outcome, they will have to accept it and move on, as this saga has enveloped the club in the last week or so.

Preparations will need to be made for next season, and the players will be looking to go on holiday and decompress after a long campaign.

Of course, there is the chance that they could be placed in the play-off final, which would be a seismic decision, but they cannot let a decision going against them cause a hangover that impacts next season.