Southampton to be investigated by FA over 'Spygate' scandal after play-off expulsion | OneFootball

Saturday’s play-off final will now feature Hull and Middlesbrough

Southampton are now under investigation by the Football Association in relation to the ‘Spygate’ scandal.

The FA is looking at whether charges should be brought, following on from a decision by an EFL independent disciplinary commission to expel the Saints from the Championship play-offs and dock them four points for next season.

Southampton admitted to spying on a training session held by play-off semi-final opponents Middlesbrough earlier this month, as well as one held by Oxford United in December and an Ipswich session in April.

All three instances occurred following the appointment of Tonda Eckert as head coach in early December.

The club’s appeal against the sanction imposed by the commission was dismissed on Wednesday night, with Boro now replacing Saints in Saturday’s play-off final against Hull.

The Saints’ player of the year Leo Scienza posted on Instagram: “Disappointment, anger, sadness…It’s difficult to find the right words for what we’re all feeling right now.

“What has happened over the last days is heartbreaking..for the club, for every player in this dressing room, and above all for our supporters. A moment like this should never end the way it did.”

Shea Charles had fired the Saints to Wembley

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The Saints’ appeal was dismissed on Wednesday, denying them the chance of a shot at promotion to the Premier League worth an estimated £200million at a minimum.

“I feel sorry for every football fan, as well as the players and supporters of Hull and Boro, who were caught up in all of this chaos too,” Brazilian Scienza, who registered seven goals and 10 assists in 44 appearances, added.

“We gave everything for this dream. Day after day, sacrifice after sacrifice, always believing we could bring this club back to where it belongs.

“For me, the dream of playing in the Premier League was something I fought for with everything I had. That’s why this pain cuts so deep.

“The hardest part is knowing how much our fans deserved this moment. You stood behind us all season with incredible passion, loyalty and belief. Even in the toughest moments, you carried us forward.

“Thank you for staying with us through everything, you definitely deserved better.”

Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons described the punishment as “manifestly disproportionate” to any other sanction handed down in the history of the English game.

The Saints had sold more than 37,000 tickets for the play-off final.