Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg criticized Southampton for allegedly attempting to cheat during a 'spygate' incident. The controversy arose before their Championship play-off semi-final, with Hellberg awaiting the EFL's decision on sanctions.
Kim Hellberg has hit out at Southampton (PA)
Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg has expressed his astonishment and anger following an alleged "spygate" incident involving Southampton, accusing their Championship play-off rivals of a brazen attempt to "cheat".
The controversy overshadowed Saturdayâs goalless semi-final first leg at the Riverside Stadium, with Hellberg eagerly awaiting the EFLâs decision on potential sanctions.
The build-up to the crucial play-off fixture was dominated by reports that Middlesbrough had accused Southampton of sending an individual to snoop on their training session on Thursday.
Boro promptly reported the incident to the EFL, which subsequently charged Southampton for breaching regulations on the eve of the match.
Despite the engrossing 0-0 draw, the events preceding the game were the primary focus of the post-match press conference. Hellberg did not mince words, stating: "Itâs a weird situation. Couldnât believe my eyes or ears when heard it, couldnât believe it when someone told me for the second time or the third. But if someone makes decisions to go and try to cheat, thatâs clear and it will be interesting to see what happens with that."
Middlesbrough and Southampton drew 0-0 after this week's 'spygate' scandal (PA)
The Boro boss highlighted the significant advantage gained from observing an opponentâs training, noting that his team deployed a formation in the first half that they had never used before, making it "impossible to know" from previous games. Hellberg conveyed his feelings of anger, disappointment, and disrespect towards those responsible for the incident.
Kim Hellberg accused Southampton of attempting to cheat by allegedly sending someone to spy on Middlesbrough's training session.
The 'spygate' incident refers to Middlesbrough's complaint that Southampton sent an individual to observe their training ahead of a crucial play-off match.
Middlesbrough is awaiting the EFL's decision on potential sanctions against Southampton for the alleged spygate incident.
The controversy emerged before the goalless semi-final first leg match between Middlesbrough and Southampton at the Riverside Stadium.
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The situation bears striking similarities to the 2019 "spygate" scandal involving Leeds United, where then-manager Marcelo Bielsa was fined ÂŁ200,000 for sending someone to watch Derby County train.
That incident led the EFL to introduce a new rule prohibiting teams from observing each otherâs training sessions within 72 hours of a match.
When questioned if a substantial fine would be adequate punishment for Southampton, Hellberg pondered: "Whoâll get the fine? Should they pay the EFL? OK, so they see everything we doâŠI donât know. Weâll see what happens. I just think itâs weird that they do that and try to cheat in this type of game to be fair."
He further reflected on the Bielsa precedent: "Didnât Bielsa pay 200 (thousand) when it was not the law, right? To be fair, I think a lot of clubs will pay that amount to try to get that advantage of seeing the two sessions before a game that is of this magnitude. I think a lot of clubs will pay that. But itâs not legal, so they wouldnât do it."
Hellberg said he had not spoken to Tonda Eckert about the scandal (PA)
Hellberg refrained from calling for Southampton to be expelled from the play-offs ahead of Tuesdayâs second leg at St Maryâs, stating, "Thatâs not my decision to make. Iâm just telling you what it is."
He confirmed he had not spoken to Saints counterpart Tonda Eckert and suggested the outrage should extend beyond Teesside.
"You donât do this," the Swede asserted. "Itâs rules and you donât plan to do this and you have disguise and all those things. Itâs not only us. I think every team in the Championship should be angry because who knows? So, yes, wrong. Yes, wrong."
Asked about suspicions of Southampton spying on other clubs, Hellberg concluded: "Iâm just thinking about now, that we find them in the bushes. Iâve had a lot of different things to focus on."