Southampton spygate scandal: Saints make request ahead of Middlesbrough playoff semi-final second leg

Southampton CEO Phil Parsons has "requested time" to behaviour an interior reappraisal amid allegations of spying connected playoff opponents Middlesbrough.

Prior to the archetypal limb of the Championship playoff semi-final astatine the Riverside Stadium connected Saturday, it emerged that Middlesbrough had suspicions that a subordinate of Southampton's coaching unit had observed astatine slightest 1 grooming league successful the build-up to the game.

Boro brag Kim Hellberg claimed that idiosyncratic was recovered 'hiding successful the bushes', and said that it was "clear" that idiosyncratic associated with Southampton had made the determination to "cheat".

The EFL has since accused Southampton of "observing, oregon attempting to observe, different club's grooming league wrong 72 hours of a scheduled match" and not acting "with the utmost bully faith".

While Tonda Eckert refused to reply questions connected the allegations aft Saturday's goalless draw, they were ne'er denied, nor person Southampton attempted to contradict the allegations from a nine perspective.

With nary further improvement having materialised ahead of the 2nd limb connected Tuesday, Parsons has released a statement.

Southampton merchandise spygate statement

It read: "The nine is afloat cooperating with the EFL and the Disciplinary Commission, whilst besides undertaking an interior reappraisal to guarantee that each facts and discourse are decently understood.

"Given the strength of the fixture docket and the abbreviated turnaround betwixt matches, we person requested clip to implicit that process thoroughly and responsibly.

"We recognize the treatment and speculation that has followed implicit caller days, but we besides judge it is important that the afloat discourse is established earlier conclusions are drawn."

What adjacent for Southampton, Middlesbrough successful spygate scandal?

Much whitethorn beryllium connected who emerges victorious from the crippled astatine St Mary's. Middlesbrough progressing to the last connected May 23 would supply the EFL and autarkic disciplinary committee with clip to behaviour their investigation.

However, if Southampton gain their spot successful the last against Hull City, it creates a large contented for the governing assemblage and the disciplinary sheet involved.

If Southampton are recovered blameworthy of breaching astatine slightest 1 of the regulations acceptable retired by the EFL relating to this matter, they look the anticipation of a points punishment oregon expulsion from the playoffs.

A good could besides beryllium viewed arsenic a suitable punishment. However, Leeds United were fined £200,000 successful 2019 erstwhile a regularisation was not successful spot to screen spying. It was subsequently introduced aft that peculiar lawsuit involving members of Marcelo Bielsa's coaching squad spying connected Derby County.

Therefore, should Southampton beryllium recovered guilty, it is plausible to expect a larger good arsenic punishment arsenic a bare minimum.