Ryan Reynolds mocks Southampton as EFL remove Saints from final amid Spygate row | OneFootball

Ryan Reynolds has mocked Southampton online as the club becomes embroiled in Spygate. The EFL has removed the Saints from the play-off final and imposed a four-point deduction for next season after a spying ruling.

On Tuesday evening the league withdrew them from this weekend's showpiece with Hull City after an independent commission found they spied on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough. The club have also been charged with watching Oxford United and Ipswich Town training sessions. According to The Telegraph, head coach Tonda Eckert's defence is that such practices are commonplace in Europe.

As things stand, Middlesbrough are set to take Southampton's place at Wembley on Saturday, although the Saints could yet appeal. The club are reviewing the findings and reportedly believe the punishment is excessive.

Reynolds, whose Wrexham side narrowly missed out on a play-off berth on the final day, shared an edited image of Spies Like Us stars Dan Ackroyd and Chevy Chase wearing Southampton scarves. The post was a pointed swipe at a Championship rival.

Eckert has reportedly accepted responsibility for the decision to spy, seeking greater insight on opponents' selection and potential set-piece routines. It is claimed he chose to send a young intern to watch Middlesbrough ahead of the semi-final.

Images later appeared of young employee Will Salt seemingly filming a training session on an iPhone while sheltering behind a tree. Whether this saga affects Eckert's position remains unclear, and he could face an FA ban.

Source: Wales Online