Southampton could be kicked out of the Championship play-off final with the English Football League to decide their fate in the next five days.
Southampton have been charged with breaching EFL regulations after a member of their staff was accused of recording training footage of Middlesbrough and spying on the squad ahead of the first leg of their play-off clash.
Saints went onto beat Middlesbrough in Tuesday’s second leg, setting up a final against Hull City later this month where the winner will be promoted to the Premier League.
‘Spygate’ is being investigated by the independent disciplinary commission who will hear the case by Tuesday 19 May, five days before the scheduled playoff final at Wembley.
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The EFL released an ‘interim’ update on Thursday afternoon, conceding that the final may have to be moved. The statement also indicated there could be further changes to the fixture based on ‘the outcome of the disciplinary proceeding.’
‘The EFL can today provide an interim update on the ongoing disciplinary proceedings involving Southampton following Tuesday’s Championship Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg,’ the statement said.
‘The Independent Disciplinary Commission hearing will take place on or before Tuesday, 19 May.
‘The exact date remains under discussion and is expected to be confirmed shortly.
‘The Commission will issue its decision as soon as possible following consideration of the relevant submissions and evidence.
‘As the proceedings are being conducted by an Independent Disciplinary Commission, the EFL does not control the proposed timetable.
‘Notwithstanding this, the EFL continues to plan on the basis that the Championship Play-Off Final will take place as scheduled on Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time confirmed as 4.30pm.
‘Supporters should, however, be aware that the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture.
‘The EFL has a number of contingency plans should they be required, which also includes consideration of any appeal process, if required.’
How did Spygate happen?
The alleged spying took place on Thursday May 7 at Middlesbrough’s training base at Rockliffe Hall.
Boro’s training ground is attached to a hotel and golf course, so is easily accessible by members of the public.
The BBC report that the ‘spy’ simply parked at the golf club and walked to a vantage point overlooking the training session.
The person was reportedly pointing his phone at the training session, with a picture of that scene now being revealed by the Daily Mail.
The onlooker was reportedly approached by a Middlesbrough member of staff, but refused to identify himself and ran away.
Photos were taken of the man and he was captured on CCTV, with Boro confident that he was a member of Southampton staff.
Now the picture has publicly emerged, he has been identified as Southampton analyst William Salt.
He may only be an intern with the Saints, but Salt is considered an important member of Southampton manager Tonda Eckert’s team, pictured with the boss as he won February’s Championship Manager of the Month award.
The Daily Mail report that Salt has left evidence of his presence at Rockliffe Hall by paying on card for a coffee at the golf club.