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Middlesbrough's Kim Hellberg has accused Southampton of cheating amid 'spygate' allegations, claiming a member of Southampton filmed a training session at Boro's training ground.
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Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg has accused Southampton of trying to cheat, as the 'spygate' controversy that dominated the build-up to the Championship play-off semi-final between the sides reached a new level of animosity.
The normally mild-mannered Boro head coach criticised what he believes to be Southampton's underhand tactics.
The alleged incident occurred on Thursday at Boro's Rockliffe Park training ground.
It is claimed that a member of Southampton's backroom team filmed a training session.
On Friday, the south-coast club were charged by the English Football League (EFL) with spying on their opponents.
"I couldn't believe my eyes or ears when I heard it," said Hellberg.
"I couldn't believe it when they told me for the second time, or the third. But it was quite clear that they (Southampton) tried (to spy).
"I'm not putting anything on the players or supporters of Southampton. I think they are brilliant, unbelievable. They have nothing to do with it and I sometimes feel sorry for them because they get thrown this in the face.
"But there's someone who makes decisions to go and try to cheat. That's clear."
The 'spygate' allegations involve claims that a member of Southampton's backroom team filmed a training session at Middlesbrough's training ground.
Kim Hellberg criticized Southampton for what he perceives as underhand tactics and accused them of trying to cheat.
The alleged incident occurred on Thursday, prior to the Championship play-off semi-final between Middlesbrough and Southampton.

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Southampton have been charged by the EFL with a breach of two regulations.
That provided a spicy backdrop for the first leg of the play-off semi-final, which ended in a goalless draw.
Hellberg, 38, said it would give Southampton a "massive advantage" if one of his sessions had been filmed.
"I've seen some talking about that it's not a big advantage because you can see the games on film," he said. "But it's a massive advantage.
"You don't do this. You don't plan to do this.
"I think every team in the Championship should be angry. It's wrong. Just wrong."
Southampton counterpart Tonda Eckert, meanwhile, was on the defensive.
He repeatedly refuted the suggestion that this issue has been an unwanted distraction for his players.
Fuelled by the prize on offer and an apparent sense of injustice, Boro launched 17 shots on the Saints goal in the first half.
"The club has made a statement yesterday evening," said Eckert. "That is all there is to say about it.
"I know these questions are coming, but we shouldn't get distracted from the importance of these two big games.
"The big games belong to the players and I think they deserve that the focus is on them."