Middlesbrough learn when final verdict will be for Southampton 'Spygate' scandal | OneFootball

Middlesbrough could be reinstated into the play-off final due to the Southampton spying case

Middlesbrough missed out on the chance to compete in the play-off final after their 2-1 aggregate loss to Southampton.

Boro were unable to make their dominant first leg performance count as they only drew 0-0 at the Riverside against Tonda Eckert’s side.

But Riley McGree gave the Teesside outfit the lead early in the second leg at St. Mary’s, before goals from Ross Stewart and Shea Charles swung the tie in Southampton’s favour.

However, the Hampshire outfit are at risk of being thrown out of the competition as a potential punishment for spying on Kim Hellberg’s team in their pre-match training ahead of the first leg.

Boro have alleged that their rival filmed and took photos of their preparations at their training ground, which is prohibited by the EFL.

An independent commission is set to hear the case, with a wide range of punishments available for a guilty verdict.

When Middlesbrough will be told the outcome of Southampton’s spying case

It has been reported by The Northern Echo that Middlesbrough are hoping a verdict will be received within 24 hours of the hearing being finished.

While it would normally take up to two weeks to come to a decision on a case of this size, the EFL care believed to be optimistic about a quicker turnaround due to the play-off final taking place on 23 May.

If Southampton are expelled from the competition, then Hellberg’s side will take their place in the showcase fixture, where Hull City would await them.

It’s expected that the legal teams from both clubs will receive the final verdict before a wider release is given to the general public.

In normal circumstances, a written explanation would follow, but it’s likely that it won’t be released until later in the summer.

The Middlesbrough players and staff returned to training on Monday as a precautionary measure in case they are reinstated into the play-off final after they were initially given time off after the defeat to the Saints.

Promotion is on the line, with the Teesside outfit hoping to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.

The Championship play-off final is currently scheduled for Saturday afternoon, although it is possible that it could be rearranged depending on the outcome of the hearing against Southampton, which is set to get underway on Tuesday.

It’s been reported that the Saints will accept the charge of spying, but it remains unclear what punishment will be handed to them as a wide range of options are on the table.

Middlesbrough players are stuck in limbo until Southampton verdict is given

The Middlesbrough players suffered the disappointment of losing 2-1 to Southampton already, which effectively ended their promotion hopes.

But they are now stuck in a weird limbo where their season should be over, but there’s the small chance of a major reprieve from this spying case.

It would be quite incredible for the club to be eliminated from promotion contention only to end up back in the play-off final, and it’s difficult to foresee that outcome at this stage.

The players are doing the right thing by going back to training, but it must be difficult to prepare for a game that they may never play.