Do you think they spied on us before the cup game or as they knew we weren't going to score anyway they didn't bother
Quote from: Zendra on May 18, 2026, 09:56:49 PMDo you think they spied on us before the cup game or as they knew we weren't going to score anyway they didn't bother
Didn't need to, easy to play against our soft team
Quote from: Zendra on May 18, 2026, 09:56:49 PMDo you think they spied on us before the cup game or as they knew we weren't going to score anyway they didn't bother
They wouldn't have learnt much...
:slap:
Saints expelled!
Surprised the EFL had the balls to do it. They should have set the penalty when they made the rule so teams knew exactly where they stood.
Think a club that knows the rules and knowingly breaks them, especially for a knock out game have to be chucked as it clearly is a breach of rules that they knowingly risk disciplinary issues if caught.
I wonder which of their staff got caught/how and whether they're still in a job?
The final is supposed to be on Saturday!
Where are the Boro players? Are they literally on the beach? How will ticketing work?
A very brave decision but also insane.
Quote from: Somerset Fulham on May 19, 2026, 07:01:39 PMThe final is supposed to be on Saturday!
Where are the Boro players? Are they literally on the beach? How will ticketing work?
A very brave decision but also insane.
Boro continued training.
Yet Man City continue to get away with 115 breaches
Quote from: Whitestone on May 19, 2026, 07:02:30 PMQuote from: Somerset Fulham on May 19, 2026, 07:01:39 PMThe final is supposed to be on Saturday!
Where are the Boro players? Are they literally on the beach? How will ticketing work?
A very brave decision but also insane.
Boro continued training.
That would be my hope. How the hell they will get the ticketing sorted before Saturday I have no idea though!
Apparently Southampton have admitted to doing it to other sides as well, they can't possibly win an appeal.
Quote from: Somerset Fulham on May 19, 2026, 07:09:03 PMQuote from: Whitestone on May 19, 2026, 07:02:30 PMQuote from: Somerset Fulham on May 19, 2026, 07:01:39 PMThe final is supposed to be on Saturday!
Where are the Boro players? Are they literally on the beach? How will ticketing work?
A very brave decision but also insane.
Apparently they did it to us but had no clue what our tactics were as well
Boro continued training.
That would be my hope. How the hell they will get the ticketing sorted before Saturday I have no idea though!
Apparently Southampton have admitted to doing it to other sides as well, they can't possibly win an appeal.
I wouldn't be surprised if they appeal it and throw the final into confusion.
They are and the appeal is tomorrow
Quote from: sunburywhite on May 19, 2026, 07:08:46 PMYet Man City continue to get away with 115 breaches
There is no way it would be the same decision if it had been Chelsea or Man City
Cheats found out, admit everything and yet now appealing against the punishment.
I would deduct a few more points just for their cheek!
Well, They've been expelled from the Final now and replaced with Middlesbrough
Good, now get the 115 lot out of the league and expelled for their disgusting cheating
Quote from: HobGoblin on May 19, 2026, 09:05:51 PMGood, now get the 115 lot out of the league and expelled for their disgusting cheating
|There is more chance of Southend winning the Premiership
Apparently Soton admitted to spying on Boro for the play-off 1st leg and to 2 other league games during the season. Ironically they didn't win any of the 3! Tonda Eckert must surely be one of those who knew so has severely blotted his copybook and limited his career.
https://x.com/CraigHope_DM/status/2056832308368347186
I don't know about limiting his career, Bielsa did it not long ago and they loved him for it.
We all know that City are cheats but people can't compare that to this. Southampton admitted it for starters.
Of course Soton are culpable but I can't help feeling sorry for their fans who supported them in good faith. They're victims of this as well.
I'm glad Southampton aren't coming back up after a few yo yo years. Rather Boro or Hull.
Eckert seems a total wrongun, and I'm glad he's had his comeuppance.
Quote from: Southcoastffc on May 19, 2026, 09:48:13 PMApparently Soton admitted to spying on Boro for the play-off 1st leg and to 2 other league games during the season. Ironically they didn't won any of the 3! Tonda Eckert must surely be one of those who knew so has severely blotted his copybook and limited his career.
He did know apparently:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/05/19/southampton-thrown-out-championship-play-off-final-spaying
::scarf::
Perfect for me in Scarborough for next season... pop on the train to Hull or in the car to M'boro... love a cheeky away game within an hour of home...
COYW
What happened to the British innocent until proven guilty? Man City have not been proven guilty as yet.
Quote from: iansthailand on May 20, 2026, 02:57:21 AMWhat happened to the British innocent until proven guilty? Man City have not been proven guilty as yet.
That is because the Establishment are corrupted.
I find it completely nuts,and blown out of proportion.
Someone watching your side training,kicking the ball around,does that really help when the game comes around.
It didn't help them In the other games against Oxford
And Boro were the better side against Saints in the game,so I don't think the spying helped in anyway.
As has been said City or Chelsea different outcome,hope they win appeal.
Quote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 07:48:37 AMI find it completely nuts,and blown out of proportion.
Someone watching your side training,kicking the ball around,does that really help when the game comes around.
It didn't help them In the other games against Oxford
And Boro were the better side against Saints in the game,so I don't think the spying helped in anyway.
As has been said City or Chelsea different outcome,hope they win appeal.
Doesn't matter if it actually helped them. They tried to cheat and get an upper hand. That should be punished severely. Just like diving but that's whole other matter.
Quote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:05:03 AMQuote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 07:48:37 AMI find it completely nuts,and blown out of proportion.
Someone watching your side training,kicking the ball around,does that really help when the game comes around.
It didn't help them In the other games against Oxford
And Boro were the better side against Saints in the game,so I don't think the spying helped in anyway.
As has been said City or Chelsea different outcome,hope they win appeal.
Doesn't matter if it actually helped them. They tried to cheat and get an upper hand. That should be punished severely. Just like diving but that's whole other matter.
Think it goes on with everyone,what's to stop us looking at our lads at Motspur Park.
Been made an example of I think,when you consider the charges against City and them down road.
Quote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 08:09:40 AMQuote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:05:03 AMQuote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 07:48:37 AMI find it completely nuts,and blown out of proportion.
Someone watching your side training,kicking the ball around,does that really help when the game comes around.
It didn't help them In the other games against Oxford
And Boro were the better side against Saints in the game,so I don't think the spying helped in anyway.
As has been said City or Chelsea different outcome,hope they win appeal.
Doesn't matter if it actually helped them. They tried to cheat and get an upper hand. That should be punished severely. Just like diving but that's whole other matter.
Think it goes on with everyone,what's to stop us looking at our lads at Motspur Park.
Been made an example of I think,when you consider the charges against City and them down road.
I mean we're Fulham fans, so us watching MP would be fine?
Quote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:21:01 AMQuote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 08:09:40 AMQuote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:05:03 AMQuote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 07:48:37 AMI find it completely nuts,and blown out of proportion.
Someone watching your side training,kicking the ball around,does that really help when the game comes around.
It didn't help them In the other games against Oxford
And Boro were the better side against Saints in the game,so I don't think the spying helped in anyway.
As has been said City or Chelsea different outcome,hope they win appeal.
Doesn't matter if it actually helped them. They tried to cheat and get an upper hand. That should be punished severely. Just like diving but that's whole other matter.
Think it goes on with everyone,what's to stop us looking at our lads at Motspur Park.
Been made an example of I think,when you consider the charges against City and them down road.
I mean we're Fulham fans, so us watching MP would be fine?
But we could be spying for another club.
What they've done is it really any different from one of our staff watching our next opponents from the stands in their previous game,just like managers and scouts do.
Quote from: Holders on May 19, 2026, 10:21:26 PMOf course Soton are culpable but I can't help feeling sorry for their fans who supported them in good faith. They're victims of this as well.
It is always the loyal supporters who suffer when a club is punished. Down the years a massive number have been affected.
Quote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 08:31:41 AMQuote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:21:01 AMQuote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 08:09:40 AMQuote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:05:03 AMQuote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 07:48:37 AMI find it completely nuts,and blown out of proportion.
Someone watching your side training,kicking the ball around,does that really help when the game comes around.
It didn't help them In the other games against Oxford
And Boro were the better side against Saints in the game,so I don't think the spying helped in anyway.
As has been said City or Chelsea different outcome,hope they win appeal.
Doesn't matter if it actually helped them. They tried to cheat and get an upper hand. That should be punished severely. Just like diving but that's whole other matter.
Think it goes on with everyone,what's to stop us looking at our lads at Motspur Park.
Been made an example of I think,when you consider the charges against City and them down road.
I mean we're Fulham fans, so us watching MP would be fine?
But we could be spying for another club.
What they've done is it really any different from one of our staff watching our next opponents from the stands in their previous game,just like managers and scouts do.
True, but we can prove we're fans in a hearing. That guy that did the spying can't.
It's a bit different to watching from the stands. They could've been practising new tactics or new dead ball routines or they could surmise from who's not at training so might be injured. Obviously it didn't help them one bit since Oxford United beat them and they didn't breast Ipswich but they could've gotten info that might've helped them win.
The Saints bean counters will be in meltdown, a few spreadsheets & financial projections being amended this morning.
Quote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:39:42 AMQuote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 08:31:41 AMQuote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:21:01 AMQuote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 08:09:40 AMQuote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:05:03 AMQuote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 07:48:37 AMI find it completely nuts,and blown out of proportion.
Someone watching your side training,kicking the ball around,does that really help when the game comes around.
It didn't help them In the other games against Oxford
And Boro were the better side against Saints in the game,so I don't think the spying helped in anyway.
As has been said City or Chelsea different outcome,hope they win appeal.
Doesn't matter if it actually helped them. They tried to cheat and get an upper hand. That should be punished severely. Just like diving but that's whole other matter.
Think it goes on with everyone,what's to stop us looking at our lads at Motspur Park.
Been made an example of I think,when you consider the charges against City and them down road.
I mean we're Fulham fans, so us watching MP would be fine?
But we could be spying for another club.
What they've done is it really any different from one of our staff watching our next opponents from the stands in their previous game,just like managers and scouts do.
True, but we can prove we're fans in a hearing. That guy that did the spying can't.
It's a bit different to watching from the stands. They could've been practising new tactics or new dead ball routines or they could surmise from who's not at training so might be injured. Obviously it didn't help them one bit since Oxford United beat them and they didn't breast Ipswich but they could've gotten info that might've helped them win.
Perfectly true,but I think throwing them out of a final is harsh,more for the fans sake.
Quote from: SP on May 20, 2026, 08:48:07 AMThe Saints bean counters will be in meltdown, a few spreadsheets & financial projections being amended this morning.
I was listening radio late last night,couple of pundits and ex refs discussing it,all stated that Saints could very well win the appeal,as all matters weren't properly looked at by the FA panel.
What matters they were talking about I've no idea.
Enjoyed this on TFI:
'Hull or Middlesbrough, rail engineering firms will be licking their lips in anticipation of FFC's away fixture.'
Harry Redknapp....Ridiculous,what do you learn watching somebody training,they whichever club have lots of ideas on the training ground,doesn't mean they'll implement them on the day of game.
Quote from: SP on May 20, 2026, 09:05:42 AMEnjoyed this on TFI:
'Hull or Middlesbrough, rail engineering firms will be licking their lips in anticipation of FFC's away fixture.'
👀
Quote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 08:48:15 AMQuote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:39:42 AMQuote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 08:31:41 AMQuote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:21:01 AMQuote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 08:09:40 AMQuote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:05:03 AMQuote from: Coastwalker on May 20, 2026, 07:48:37 AMI find it completely nuts,and blown out of proportion.
Someone watching your side training,kicking the ball around,does that really help when the game comes around.
It didn't help them In the other games against Oxford
And Boro were the better side against Saints in the game,so I don't think the spying helped in anyway.
As has been said City or Chelsea different outcome,hope they win appeal.
Doesn't matter if it actually helped them. They tried to cheat and get an upper hand. That should be punished severely. Just like diving but that's whole other matter.
Think it goes on with everyone,what's to stop us looking at our lads at Motspur Park.
Been made an example of I think,when you consider the charges against City and them down road.
I mean we're Fulham fans, so us watching MP would be fine?
But we could be spying for another club.
What they've done is it really any different from one of our staff watching our next opponents from the stands in their previous game,just like managers and scouts do.
True, but we can prove we're fans in a hearing. That guy that did the spying can't.
It's a bit different to watching from the stands. They could've been practising new tactics or new dead ball routines or they could surmise from who's not at training so might be injured. Obviously it didn't help them one bit since Oxford United beat them and they didn't breast Ipswich but they could've gotten info that might've helped them win.
Perfectly true,but I think throwing them out of a final is harsh,more for the fans sake.
It's harsh, but it needs to be harsh. This is the first time an EFL club has been charged under regulation 127 (spying within 72 hours of a match) so it needs to set a precedent to deter other clubs in the future.
With the prize for cheating being Premier League status and £110M TV money, a fine or a point deduction isn't really going to cut it. Clubs would just continue to risk doing it as the rewards are so great.
Quote from: Somerset Fulham on May 19, 2026, 10:09:16 PMI don't know about limiting his career, Bielsa did it not long ago and they loved him for it.
We all know that City are cheats but people can't compare that to this. Southampton admitted it for starters.
The difference is that when Bielsa did it there wasn't an explicit EFL rule banning it. They introduced it after that.
Quote from: Neutral Zone Ultra on May 20, 2026, 09:48:19 AMQuote from: Somerset Fulham on May 19, 2026, 10:09:16 PMI don't know about limiting his career, Bielsa did it not long ago and they loved him for it.
We all know that City are cheats but people can't compare that to this. Southampton admitted it for starters.
The difference is that when Bielsa did it there wasn't an explicit EFL rule banning it. They introduced it after that.
Agreed they specifically broke a rule that was introduced to prevent what they did. And they broke it three times deliberately. They went to a great deal of bother, sending a person/s half way around the country to do it so they must have expected to secure a gain of some sorts otherwise why do it. At last one of the football bodies has grown a pair. Southampton have appealed so as they have admitted guilt I would increase the points deduction for wasting everyone's time. All costs for their account as well.
Now let's hope the FA act to penalise the individuals - 12 months ban from football - that will ensure it won't happen again.
Any update/result on the appeal?
Appeal at 6pm apparently
Hull should appeal against having to play Boro and demand that they be awarded the game.
https://x.com/i/status/2057037326350434556
This makes more sense now! ::bump::
I wonder if there was any subterfuge at Motspur Park before the cup game.
" So young man what did you see and where are the threats going to come from? Your analysis please"
" Erh. Nothing to worry about really"
The sanction should have been the same as it would be for a club that isn't in the play-offs. Which I'm guessing would be a fine or small points deduction next season. If they're in the PL season and that makes it unenforceable, well that's an issue the PL and EFL still need to work out, but not Southampton's fault. You can't just hit them with a bespoke, unprecedented sanction that wouldn't apply to 95% of the league if they committed the same offence.
Quote from: Angus Telford on May 20, 2026, 07:47:15 PMThe sanction should have been the same as it would be for a club that isn't in the play-offs. Which I'm guessing would be a fine or small points deduction next season. If they're in the PL season and that makes it unenforceable, well that's an issue the PL and EFL still need to work out, but not Southampton's fault. You can't just hit them with a bespoke, unprecedented sanction that wouldn't apply to 95% of the league if they committed the same offence.
They gave them a 2 point deduction for each spying incident that happened during the normal season. Obviously it's not the normal season now, so the most appropriate punishment is to kick them out of the playoffs.
Quote from: Angus Telford on May 20, 2026, 07:47:15 PMThe sanction should have been the same as it would be for a club that isn't in the play-offs. Which I'm guessing would be a fine or small points deduction next season. If they're in the PL season and that makes it unenforceable, well that's an issue the PL and EFL still need to work out, but not Southampton's fault. You can't just hit them with a bespoke, unprecedented sanction that wouldn't apply to 95% of the league if they committed the same offence.
I couldn't disagree more. They were relegation candidates before he got there, they were the best team in the league when he joined. I don't see how it's unfair to kick them out of play-offs.
Quote from: SerbianLad on May 20, 2026, 07:58:10 PMQuote from: Angus Telford on May 20, 2026, 07:47:15 PMThe sanction should have been the same as it would be for a club that isn't in the play-offs. Which I'm guessing would be a fine or small points deduction next season. If they're in the PL season and that makes it unenforceable, well that's an issue the PL and EFL still need to work out, but not Southampton's fault. You can't just hit them with a bespoke, unprecedented sanction that wouldn't apply to 95% of the league if they committed the same offence.
I couldn't disagree more. They were relegation candidates before he got there, they were the best team in the league when he joined. I don't see how it's unfair to kick them out of play-offs.
They were in a similar situation to us when we went on the great run under Slav. We went on a great run and won the play offs. To put it all down to scouting/spying is farcical. They were underperforming, the new coach got them playing to their potential and made a couple of good signings.
Quote from: bencher on May 20, 2026, 08:05:32 PMThey were in a similar situation to us when we went on the great run under Slav. We went on a great run and won the play offs. To put it all down to scouting/spying is farcical. They were underperforming, the new coach got them playing to their potential and made a couple of good signings.
Well you can't say that it definitely wasn't down to that. They blatantly breached the rules that were put in place after the Leeds incident. The fact is their results improved significantly since the cheating started. Whether that's the cause or not is irrelevant, as there is definitely a possibility it was the cause. Next time don't cheat. Simple as that.
There's a reason why trainings aren't available to public. There's a reason why managers often try to "hide" what players are going to be avaliable for the next match. At the top level, every coach can use that information to get an advantage.
I don't object to a big sanction, just don't think it's fair to target the play-offs. As they say, it's a £200m game, making it effectively the biggest sanction in football history. Another club could do the same, or worse, next season and finish 9th, and what sanction will they get? Nothing this impactful. How can that be fair? Answer: it can't. Which is why you can't go making up arbitrary and inconsistent sanctions based on the club's circumstances. When you get a speeding fine, rich or poor, it's the same fine. When you get imprisoned, old or young, it's the same sentence.
Quote from: Angus Telford on May 20, 2026, 08:17:26 PMI don't object to a big sanction, just don't think it's fair to target the play-offs. As they say, it's a £200m game, making it effectively the biggest sanction in football history. Another club could do the same, or worse, next season and finish 9th, and what sanction will they get? Nothing this impactful. How can that be fair? Answer: it can't. Which is why you can't go making up arbitrary and inconsistent sanctions based on the club's circumstances. When you get a speeding fine, rich or poor, it's the same fine. When you get imprisoned, old or young, it's the same sentence.
Well, what do you suggest? There's no punishment here that's fair on everyone. If you don't kick them out, they could conceiveably win the final and stay up in the Prem for 10+ years, which would promote the idea that cheating prospers.
Quote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:27:23 PMQuote from: Angus Telford on May 20, 2026, 08:17:26 PMI don't object to a big sanction, just don't think it's fair to target the play-offs. As they say, it's a £200m game, making it effectively the biggest sanction in football history. Another club could do the same, or worse, next season and finish 9th, and what sanction will they get? Nothing this impactful. How can that be fair? Answer: it can't. Which is why you can't go making up arbitrary and inconsistent sanctions based on the club's circumstances. When you get a speeding fine, rich or poor, it's the same fine. When you get imprisoned, old or young, it's the same sentence.
Well, what do you suggest? There's no punishment here that's fair on everyone. If you don't kick them out, they could conceiveably win the final and stay up in the Prem for 10+ years, which would promote the idea that cheating prospers.
How about letting them play in the final but with 10 men for the first 15 minutes.
Quote from: Angus Telford on May 20, 2026, 08:17:26 PMI don't object to a big sanction, just don't think it's fair to target the play-offs. As they say, it's a £200m game, making it effectively the biggest sanction in football history. Another club could do the same, or worse, next season and finish 9th, and what sanction will they get? Nothing this impactful. How can that be fair? Answer: it can't. Which is why you can't go making up arbitrary and inconsistent sanctions based on the club's circumstances. When you get a speeding fine, rich or poor, it's the same fine. When you get imprisoned, old or young, it's the same sentence.
But the point is, there's a possibility, I'd even argue a high possibility, that they wouldn't even have made the play-offs if they didn't cheat. The cheating obviously wasn't a one off. They've been cheating for months. The whole integrity of the league could be put into question. Who knows what could have happened, who would have been in the play-offs, who would have got relegated, hell maybe even Southampton would have been relegated.
Quote from: ScalleysDad on May 20, 2026, 07:44:23 PMI wonder if there was any subterfuge at Motspur Park before the cup game.
" So young man what did you see and where are the threats going to come from? Your analysis please"
" Erh. Nothing to worry about really"
Looks like they are playing Muniz up top
You can give the back 4 the weekend off
Quote from: demeant0r on May 20, 2026, 08:27:23 PMQuote from: Angus Telford on May 20, 2026, 08:17:26 PMI don't object to a big sanction, just don't think it's fair to target the play-offs. As they say, it's a £200m game, making it effectively the biggest sanction in football history. Another club could do the same, or worse, next season and finish 9th, and what sanction will they get? Nothing this impactful. How can that be fair? Answer: it can't. Which is why you can't go making up arbitrary and inconsistent sanctions based on the club's circumstances. When you get a speeding fine, rich or poor, it's the same fine. When you get imprisoned, old or young, it's the same sentence.
Well, what do you suggest? There's no punishment here that's fair on everyone. If you don't kick them out, they could conceiveably win the final and stay up in the Prem for 10+ years, which would promote the idea that cheating prospers.
The PL and EFL need to agree to apply/enforce each other's sanctions against promoted/relegated clubs the next season. I don't really follow this stuff anymore but I remember talking about this years ago and I'm amazed they still haven't sorted it out.
Deserved punishment, the cheating, all of it needs to be stamped out, For F**** Sake - FA, PL, EPL need to grow a pair and punish those that cheat and kick them out of cups, huge points deductions or relegation should be the punishments.
The rules are clear and our club and other abides by them, a few cheat, punish them hard
https://x.com/TheLawyerCSmith/status/2057162598068469848
He must have cost a pretty penny!
Quote from: SerbianLad on May 20, 2026, 09:23:53 PMhttps://x.com/TheLawyerCSmith/status/2057162598068469848
He must have cost a pretty penny!
" Goldfinger "
He's the man , the man with the Midas touch "
Quote from: SerbianLad on May 20, 2026, 09:23:53 PMhttps://x.com/TheLawyerCSmith/status/2057162598068469848
He must have cost a pretty penny!
Let's see...Saints have got Pannick and Boggs defending them.
Fans must be bricking it 🚽🧻:slap:
Saints have lost their appeal.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn4p284ny2ko
https://www.dailymail.com/sport/football/article-15835557/southampton-appeal-dismissed-championship-play-off.html
However, after the appeal was unsuccessful, they could now face legal action from their own players. Daily Mail Sport understands the squad have missed out on a potential bonus of £250,000 per player for promotion to the Premier League. Several players are considering their legal options after it was revealed to us that contracts included a £150,000 bonus for those who have appeared in 50 per cent of matches. Anything less than 50 per cent was awarded on a pro-rata basis.
There was also a one-off pool payment worth at least £2million to be shared among the group, taking the possible windfall to a quarter-of-a-million-pound per man. There was then the guarantee of relegation wage drops being restored - some as high as 40 per cent, equating to as much as £1million per year - had Southampton beaten Hull in the final at Wembley. Others had wage-related promotion incentives.
The squad's senior leaders have discussed the matter and are said to be furious, not only because of the financial impact, but the sporting loss of the chance to play in the Premier League.
Saints were kicked out of the final on Tuesday after admitting to spying on Middlesbrough and two other rival teams during an independent disciplinary hearing. They were also docked four points ahead of next season. Incriminating text-message evidence between Saints employees, including head coach Tonda Eckert, was key to the case against them. We understand Eckert would have taken charge of the final, but his long-term future is less certain.
Southampton could now face a class action from their own squad over a potential loss of earnings. We have been told players were unaware of the spying practice. It also thought that technical director Johannes Spors was not implicated during the hearing and had no knowledge of the systemic spying taking place within the first-team set-up.
Interesting about the squad sueing the club, but I'm not sure they'll get anywhere with it.
The probability is that Southampton wouldn't have been anywhere near the play offs if they hadn't cheated so I'm not sure the players are really missing out on bonuses.
Quote from: Eton White on May 20, 2026, 10:02:17 PMInteresting about the squad sueing the club, but I'm not sure they'll get anywhere with it.
The probability is that Southampton wouldn't have been anywhere near the play offs if they hadn't cheated so I'm not sure the players are really missing out on bonuses.
But the players had nothing to do with that from what I can tell. They are the real victims in all of this. I'm sure they gave their all and it's not their fault that the instructions they got came from cheating.
Looking on the positive side of all of this, the Middlesbrough staff member who saw him in the bushes should get a symbolic £1m bonus (if they get promoted).
Quote from: SerbianLad on May 20, 2026, 10:04:58 PMQuote from: Eton White on May 20, 2026, 10:02:17 PMInteresting about the squad sueing the club, but I'm not sure they'll get anywhere with it.
The probability is that Southampton wouldn't have been anywhere near the play offs if they hadn't cheated so I'm not sure the players are really missing out on bonuses.
But the players had nothing to do with that from what I can tell. They are the real victims in all of this. I'm sure they gave their all and it's not their fault that the instructions they got came from cheating.
I agree the players had nothing to do with it, but why should they get pay outs? The bonuses would have been for promotion, not for giving your all.
Quote from: Eton White on May 20, 2026, 11:10:24 PMQuote from: SerbianLad on May 20, 2026, 10:04:58 PMQuote from: Eton White on May 20, 2026, 10:02:17 PMInteresting about the squad sueing the club, but I'm not sure they'll get anywhere with it.
The probability is that Southampton wouldn't have been anywhere near the play offs if they hadn't cheated so I'm not sure the players are really missing out on bonuses.
But the players had nothing to do with that from what I can tell. They are the real victims in all of this. I'm sure they gave their all and it's not their fault that the instructions they got came from cheating.
I agree the players had nothing to do with it, but why should they get pay outs? The bonuses would have been for promotion, not for giving your all.
Well obviously, but they could argue that they would have got promoted without the cheating and that the staff that did the cheating are the reason they lost their potential bonus.
OK, I guess my point is, where would Southampton have finished without cheating?
4th,10th,18th,24th? We just don't know, but Southampton themselves obviously felt it necessary to cheat so it appears they didn't have enough confidence in the squad to gain promotion on their own merits.
I just think it would be difficult for the players to convince a court that they were capable of promotion if even their own manager and backroom staff felt they weren't.
Quote from: Eton White on May 20, 2026, 11:29:19 PMOK, I guess my point is, where would Southampton have finished without cheating?
4th,10th,18th,24th? We just don't know, but Southampton themselves obviously felt it necessary to cheat so it appears they didn't have enough confidence in the squad to gain promotion on their own merits.
I just think it would be difficult for the players to convince a court that they were capable of promotion if even their own manager and backroom staff felt they weren't.
I agree it would be difficult, I just understand where players are coming for. They probably feel like they deserved to be there and because of someone else's mistake they won't be
Quote from: Eton White on May 20, 2026, 10:02:17 PMInteresting about the squad sueing the club, but I'm not sure they'll get anywhere with it.
The probability is that Southampton wouldn't have been anywhere near the play offs if they hadn't cheated so I'm not sure the players are really missing out on bonuses.
Quote from: SerbianLad on May 20, 2026, 10:04:58 PMQuote from: Eton White on May 20, 2026, 10:02:17 PMInteresting about the squad sueing the club, but I'm not sure they'll get anywhere with it.
The probability is that Southampton wouldn't have been anywhere near the play offs if they hadn't cheated so I'm not sure the players are really missing out on bonuses.
But the players had nothing to do with that from what I can tell. They are the real victims in all of this. I'm sure they gave their all and it's not their fault that the instructions they got came from cheating.
The real victims are their supporters.
Quote from: Eton White on May 20, 2026, 11:29:19 PMOK, I guess my point is, where would Southampton have finished without cheating?
4th,10th,18th,24th? We just don't know, but Southampton themselves obviously felt it necessary to cheat so it appears they didn't have enough confidence in the squad to gain promotion on their own merits.
I just think it would be difficult for the players to convince a court that they were capable of promotion if even their own manager and backroom staff felt they weren't.
I know we were poor bordering on useless for the cup game but they were everything we were not and didn't roll over in the next cup game. St Mary's had become a bit raucous as well so as a team it was starting to come together. I suspect with the speed the Board owned up to more than they were originally pinged for there might be more either now buried deep or shelved as the sanctions have been imposed. As Woolly says it's harsh on the fan base but I do have some sympathy for the players. Their revolving door might gather more speed than ours.
Quote from: SerbianLad on May 20, 2026, 11:22:12 PMQuote from: Eton White on May 20, 2026, 11:10:24 PMQuote from: SerbianLad on May 20, 2026, 10:04:58 PMQuote from: Eton White on May 20, 2026, 10:02:17 PMInteresting about the squad sueing the club, but I'm not sure they'll get anywhere with it.
The probability is that Southampton wouldn't have been anywhere near the play offs if they hadn't cheated so I'm not sure the players are really missing out on bonuses.
But the players had nothing to do with that from what I can tell. They are the real victims in all of this. I'm sure they gave their all and it's not their fault that the instructions they got came from cheating.
I agree the players had nothing to do with it, but why should they get pay outs? The bonuses would have been for promotion, not for giving your all.
Well obviously, but they could argue that they would have got promoted without the cheating and that the staff that did the cheating are the reason they lost their potential bonus.
They cannot claim they would got promoted because the final game was not played. If all this had happened AFTER the final game, and they had won, that would be different. One cannot argue facts based on events that have not taken place.
Suing the club for loss of earnings/bonuses here would set a dangerous precedent. I don't believe this has happened before when a club has been denied a chance of promotion or been relegated following a breach of financial regulations, which can similarly be argued to not be the fault of the players.
Quote from: MikeTheCubed on May 21, 2026, 01:12:20 PMSuing the club for loss of earnings/bonuses here would set a dangerous precedent. I don't believe this has happened before when a club has been denied a chance of promotion or been relegated following a breach of financial regulations, which can similarly be argued to not be the fault of the players.
Only if the players win the lawsuit. Who's to say Southampton would've won the final anyway?
Quote from: demeant0r on May 21, 2026, 01:15:10 PMQuote from: MikeTheCubed on May 21, 2026, 01:12:20 PMSuing the club for loss of earnings/bonuses here would set a dangerous precedent. I don't believe this has happened before when a club has been denied a chance of promotion or been relegated following a breach of financial regulations, which can similarly be argued to not be the fault of the players.
Only if the players win the lawsuit. Who's to say Southampton would've won the final anyway?
Southampton themselves seemed to imply they would given they were having a moan about losing £200m in their statement and appeal! So if their players sued them then they'd have to u turn and say actually nah we were never going to win.
I find this all a little messy, tbh.
The acts occurred on May 7, it was reported to the EFL May 8th, the 1st leg game was played May 9th and the second leg on the 12th.
Given that time was going to be a massive factor in this as the time period between the first SF and the Final, why did the EFL wait a week to make such a momentous decision?
All the pertinent facts were know by 7th May, the decision/announcement was made on 19th, just 4 days before the final. Absolute incompetence by the EFL. The hearing - and decision - should have been made by the 14th - 2 days after the second leg was played.
Hull City are rightly aggrieved that they have only 4 days to review their game tactics, but the reports they will sue if they lose is just hedging their bets, and bad faith. I have no doubt that in the three days between the first and second play-off legs tactics are changed based on the first leg tactics used by the oppos, and it's not like they haven't played Soton twice already this season.
As for Josh Windass, his last name suitably describes what's coming out the other end! They lose to Boro, get hammered by Soton, and all he can do is eject toys from the pram.
I'm pretty sure Hull would have been preparing for either team
Will be interesting and a lot of crying/cheering if Boro go thru. I suppose Hull could have had a case that they should have been granted promotion once their scheduled opponent was nixed?
I thought Hull looked very good v Millwall away.
I'll be watching this match with interest. If Hull lose they will be mightily unhappy and if so I would have a lot of sympathy for them. I get where they are coming from by saying they should get promoted automatically as Southampton have been thrown out for cheating but then Boro could claim they only lost because of SpyGate. Also if there was no final there would be a lot of financial issues as well. Talk about a complicated situation!
Quote from: Zendra on May 18, 2026, 09:56:49 PMDo you think they spied on us before the cup game or as they knew we weren't going to score anyway they didn't bother
Cheating is a habit so absolutely.
I have nothing against Middlesbrough but I am hoping that Hull win this afternoon.
I am living in the hope that if they do not get promoted then Hayden Hackney will go to a Premier League club. He would be the answer to so many of our issues - with the added benefit of being a leader on the pitch. I realise it's probably just a dream but a more family type club like ours would suit him.
Quote from: HV71 on May 23, 2026, 12:21:08 PMI have nothing against Middlesbrough but I am hoping that Hull win this afternoon.
I am living in the hope that if they do not get promoted then Hayden Hackney will go to a Premier League club. He would be the answer to so many of our issues - with the added benefit of being a leader on the pitch. I realise it's probably just a dream but a more family type club like ours would suit him.
He is on so many PL teams' radar, including Man Utd who will have CL football. We would do extremely well to convince him to come here. We should've gotten him last summer when he not so hot.
Hull to take legal action if they lose today:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cpvp8vv8e2zo
They should promote both Hull and Boro.
then automatically relegate Spurs and West Ham.