Middlesbrough call for Southampton to be thrown out of play-offs

Middlesbrough have called for Southampton to be kicked out of the play-offs for the Premier League over spying allegations.

The Saints have been charged by second-tier organizers the English Football League (EFL) with illegally observing a training session at Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Park complex, two days before the sides met in a play-off semi-final first leg.

Southampton subsequently progressed to the final against Hull City, which is due to take place on May 23 at Wembley but could be delayed.

Middlesbrough confirmed on Friday they had sought to be a party in an independent commission hearing but were denied the opportunity.

“The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact,” a statement read.

“The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition.

“In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final.”

Boro urged the EFL to pursue a sporting sanction against Southampton at the hearing “in order to protect the integrity of the game, safeguard all member clubs, and deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.”

The statement concluded: “The club reserves all its legal rights.”

The initial hearing will take place on or before next Tuesday, but an appeal may also need to be heard before next Saturday, creating a week of uncertainty for fans, players and staff of Southampton, Hull and Middlesbrough.

The EFL said on Thursday it had “a number of contingency plans” in place depending on the outcome of the legal proceedings.

Tickets went on sale to Southampton and Hull fans on Friday.

A Hull fan who has spent around $2,700 to attend the play-off final from his home in Australia says the EFL has “no regard for fans” after allowing the ‘Spygate’ drama to plunge the game into uncertainty.

Jack Gorbert rushed to secure a flight home to see his side at Wembley following their semi-final win over Millwall earlier this month.

Gorbert, who attended Hull’s previous play-off final wins in 2008 and 2016, told the Press Association: “What’s happened is absolutely crazy. Without dropping expletives, all I can say is the EFL has no regard for the fans at all. I’ve spoken to another fan who is coming from Sydney, and someone else in Peru.

“But it’s not just that, it’s fans in Hull booking trains and hotels and disgraceful prices.”

Although he accepts a free pass into the Premier League would be some compensation, Gorbert feels the sense of occasion attached to winning at the national stadium cannot be replaced.

“If we were going to go up on a technicality I wouldn’t say no to the Premier League but everyone wants that big day ... at Wembley,” he said.

The Hull City Official Supporters Club also says the lack of clarity over the play-off final is “manifestly unfair” on fans.

A statement laid the blame at the EFL’s door for having no set punishment in place for spying.

Moving the match already looks problematic, with the following weekend ruled out due to Wembley hosting rugby league’s men’s and women’s Challenge Cup finals on May 30 and the Women’s FA Cup final the following day.

From the following weekend onwards, the stadium is given over to non-football events, such as Harry Styles’ 12 shows between June 12 and July 4.