What the Southampton 'spy' did to try evade chasing Middlesbrough staff | OneFootball

Southampton remain under fire after being charged by the EFL for spying on a Middlesbrough training session

Southampton defeated Middlesbrough 2-1 in Tuesday night's Championship play-off semi-final second leg, but the Saints' spying charge has continued to dominate the conversation surrounding the fixture.

The Saints and Boro played out a 0-0 draw at the Riverside Stadium in Saturday's first leg, before Tonda Eckert's men emerged victorious on the South Coast.

Goals from Riley McGree and Ross Stewart ensured that the second-leg tie finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, but Shea Charles' extra-time effort saw Tonda Eckert's men advance to Wembley.

Southampton will face Hull City for a place in the Premier League on Saturday, 23 May, unless they are kicked out of the play-offs as a consequence of their spying charge.

Southampton staff member's movements following spying allegation revealed

Southampton are set to face a sporting sanction if they are found guilty of spying, which could include being kicked out of the play-offs, according to The Times.

The Saints haven't lost a Championship fixture since being beaten by Hull on 17 January, but their off-field antics have dominated the nation's football conversations in recent days, as they have been charged for spying on a Middlesbrough training session ahead of their first-leg clash.

As per The Times' aforementioned report, the Disciplinary Commission are pushing to reach their verdict before next Saturday's play-off final.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports have revealed that when Southampton's alleged spy was approached by Middlesbrough staff, he ran towards a nearby golf course and changed his clothes.

According to The Guardian, Boro have been approached by other Championship clubs who are suspicious of Southampton's spying, which adds further depth to the scandal.

Leeds United were caught spying on a Derby County training session back in 2019 and were handed a £200,000 fine, while that incident prompted the EFL to compose their current legislation on spying.

As reported by Teesside Live, the EFL's handbook outlines punishments like points deductions, fines and transfer embargoes for incidents of filming or watching opposition training up to 72 hours before a game.

The Disciplinary Commission can also order any sanction they deem fit, which is where the prospect of Southampton being kicked out of the play-offs could, potentially, become a reality.

Southampton have put a major stain on an otherwise memorable campaign

Southampton endured a tough start to the Championship season, as former boss Will Still was sacked in early November, having won just two of the second-tier games he took charge of.

Still's woeful spell in the St Mary's Stadium dugout left the South Coast outfit just one place above the relegation zone.

Eckert has successfully turned their season around, with Southampton reaching the Championship play-off final, at least for now, as well as the FA Cup semi-finals.

Impressively, including their play-off clashes with Middlesbrough, the Saints have gone 21 second-tier games without suffering a defeat, which would make them worthy promotion winners.

However, Southampton's spying allegations have put a major dampener on a campaign that they should have been very proud of, having won 80 points in the Championship.

Second-tier observers and supporters, especially those associated with Middlesbrough, have been left with a feeling of dislike towards Eckert's side in recent days.

It is now likely that Championship fanatics who would have otherwise been neutral will now want Hull to win the play-off final, should they face the Saints.