Four days before the final for promotion to Premier League At Wembley, one of the biggest scandals in the recent history of English football was confirmed. Southampton were found guilty of ‘spygate’ and expelled from a final they were going to play against Hull City. He Middlesbroughthe team that lost the ‘semi’ against ‘Soton’ and was a victim of espionage… has been readmitted!
Southampton, who have the right to appeal the verdict, He will also receive a four-point deduction for next season in the Championship. All after an Independent Commission has found them guilty.
The ‘Spygate’ that threatens to blow up English football
Chronology of events
- May 7: Middlesbrough have lodged a formal complaint with the EFL alleging that a member of Southampton’s staff was spying on one of their training sessions with a mobile phone and ambushed behind a tree. All, three days before the semi-final first leg.
- May 9: Draw (0-0) in the first leg of the semifinals for promotion to the Premier League.
- May 12: Southampton are accused of breaching EFL rules in relation to spying allegations.
- May 12: Southampton eliminates Middlesbrough after winning 2-1 with a goal from Shea Charles in extra time.
- May 13: Everything explodes when the ‘Daily Mail’ publishes photos showing an alleged analyst from Southampton’s coaching staff spying on the ‘Boro’ training ground.
- May 14: It is confirmed that there will be an Independent Commission that investigates and determines any type of sanction. The final against Hull City, meanwhile, is set for Saturday, May 23, at Wembley.
- May 15: Middlesbrough publicly calls for Southampton’s expulsion from the playoffs.
- May 18: Middlesbrough players return to training… just in case.
- May 19: Southampton are found guilty and sent off. Hull City and Middlesbrough will compete for the last promotion place to the 2026-27 Premier League.
Southampton admit infringements
As Southampton publicly announced, the club was expelled “after admit multiple breaches of EFL rules relating to unauthorized recording from other clubs’ training sessions.
However, ‘Soton’ sees the sanction imposed as exaggerated and has already submitted its appeal. The EFL has acknowledged that the result of the appeal “could lead to a new change to Saturday’s match”… so the ‘spygate’ is not a closed chapter, far from it.
