'Absolute shambles' - Middlesbrough view given on new Southampton Spygate update | OneFootball

Saints' chairman has taken a battering following his latest statement.

The Championship play-offs may have concluded over a week ago but the fallout from the Spygate drama involving Southampton has continued.

Tonda Eckert's side knocked Middlesbrough out of the semi-finals but were then expelled from the competition after they admitted observing Boro, Ipswich Town and Oxford United's training sessions.

Kim Hellberg's men were then reinstated into the competition and faced Hull City in the final but succumbed to a 1-0 defeat after Oli McBurnie netted a stoppage time winner.

While many expected Eckert to lose his job following revelations that he played an integral part in the scandal, Southampton owner Dragan Solak has publicly backed his manager, leading to a scathing backlash from the Middlesborough faithful.

Southampton blasted as Dragan Solak backs Tonda Eckert

When the Saints released an official statement explaining how they felt they had been hard done by following the decision to kick them out of the play-offs and deduct them four points for the 2026/27 season, many felt the comments were out of touch.

What has riled up Middlebrough supporters the most is a lack of empathy and ownership of the action that disrupted their play-off campaign on several fronts.

In a recent interview, Solak said that he believes Eckert should be given a second chance to prove himself before lauding his managerial ability.

When asked whether he was surprised at Solak publicly backing the German after the whole Spygate scandal, FLW's Boro fan pundit Liam Day did not hold back.

"I'm not surprised because that club just seems to be an absolute shambles, to be honest," Liam told Football League World.

"They're dishonest, the way they operate, everything about them recently has been so, so poor.

"Lack of awareness, really, with the statements they've been putting out, and I know they're apologising, but they're refusing to take accountability and blaming everyone but themselves.

"The rules were pretty clear. They've been clear. They forced an intern to do the work who didn't even want to do it.

"It's bad they've got that sort of man representing the club, it just looks bad, in my opinion, so they can keep him all they like.

"Without the spying, he might not be as good, you don't know that obviously, I think there's still going to be a lot of internal conflict and, I wish nothing but the worst for that club."

Southampton and Middlesbrough braced for tense Championship showdowns

If Boro had been promoted to the Premier League, then they could have put the Spygate drama behind them, but after their defeat to the Tigers, they must now face the Saints at least twice next term.

With Eckert set to remain in charge, there could be an intense reunion between him and Hellberg after they clashed on the sidelines in the play-off semi-finals.

Of course, the German is likely to receive a ban for his actions, meaning that he may be absent from the touchline for some time, although the full extent of that is yet to be decided.

While supporters have the World Cup to look forward to first, supporters of the two clubs will discover their fixtures for the next campaign when they are announced on 25 June.

Wherever the South Coast side travel to next season, they are likely to be the brunt of spying jokes, especially given how their supporters taunted Boro over the two defining legs.

News of spygate is unlikely to disappear either as it was revealed that Eastleigh supplied Southampton with footage of Ipswich training, meaning they could face FA action.

While Saints and Boro may want to draw a line under the saga, they will continue to be the centre of attention in the Championship for the time being.