Kim Hellberg's feelings towards Tonda Eckert made clear after Southampton v Middlesbrough | OneFootball

The drama from these two play-off semi-finals involving Saints and Boro looks far from over

The Championship play-offs have continued to live up to their usual drama, only this season, plenty of the talking has come from developments away from the pitch.

Indeed, 24 hours after Hull City sealed their passage into the play-off final at Wembley Stadium on May 23rd after defeating Millwall 2-0 at The Den on Monday night following a goalless draw in the first leg at the MKM Stadium, Southampton also progressed to the showpiece event in North London after coming from behind to defeat Middlesbrough at St Mary's after another first leg stalemate.

Although Kim Hellberg's side took the lead through Riley McGree's neat finish inside the first five minutes on Tuesday night, Tonda Eckert's men eventually grew into the contest and were level on the stroke of half time when Ross Stewart powered a header home after Sol Brynn could only parry out an initial fizzing Ryan Manning strike.

The encounter, which had continued to be overshadowed by the well-documented 'spygate' saga which came to light in the lead-up to the first meeting at the Riverside Stadium last Saturday, continued to be full of tension on the pitch, the touchline and the stands, until Shea Charles found the net with five minutes of extra-time remaining, even though many have, unsurprisingly, claimed that the Northern Irishman's memorable strike was also down to good fortune as it appeared to have been an initial cross into the box.

As such, on the pitch, Saints have done all they can to seal a second trip to Wembley in less than a month after their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City on April 25th, although more drama from the spygate saga is expected, with Hellberg not afraid to showcase how he feels towards those that were in the home dugout in Hampshire.

Kim Hellberg fires dig towards Southampton's Tonda Eckert after controversial play-off semi-final loss

Within the past week, the Swede hasn't been afraid to express his version of events regarding spygate, which also saw an intriguing handshake take place between himself and Eckert on Teesside last weekend.

Unsurprisingly, with so much at stake, tensions continued to boil over on the touchline throughout the match, particularly in an incident when referee, Andy Madley, spoke to the respective head coaches over an incident involving Saints captain, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and experienced Boro defender, Luke Ayling, with the latter claiming discriminatory language had been used towards him, and that this was to be reported.

Although many have argued that Middlesbrough didn't quite do enough in terms of their on-pitch performance to take on the Tigers at Wembley on Saturday week, Hellberg continued to see questions in his post-match interviews revolve around the situation, with the North East side hoping to see sporting sanctions implemented as a punishment to their opponents.

And it was made pretty clear by Hellberg post-match what his feelings towards those involved from a Southampton perspective are.

When asked what his forthcoming plans are after further claims that Middlesbrough's players would continue to train in the potential event of Southampton being expelled from the play-offs, Hellberg said: "I haven't planned anything.

"We had a plan if we were going to win the game, and now we haven't. I'm very disappointed.

"Over two legs, I think we were good enough to do it. But, it's, again, small margins against a very good team.

"Congratulations to the players of Southampton and the supporters of Southampton for the win," Hellberg added, with no mention of his opposite number, Eckert.

Furthermore, in his written media press conference, when asked if he'd spoken to the German, the 38-year-old added: "No, I have nothing to say to him."

What next in the Southampton v Middlesbrough saga ahead of play-off final?

At this point, many eyes are on the EFL to see what occurs from here on in, with just over a week until the play-off final.

It has been well-documented that a club would normally have 14 days to respond to charges from the governing body, but the EFL have requested that an independent disciplinary commission oversees matters at the earliest possible time.

However, no timescale on this process is yet reported due to the ongoing legal matter. as a result of the allegations against Southampton.

If they are given the all-clear to contest the 'richest game in football', Eckert's team will have the chance to emulate their success of two years ago under Russell Martin, when they defeated another Yorkshire outfit in Leeds United through Adam Armstrong's first half goal.