What happens after EFL’s Spygate punishment decision as play-off final in doubt | Football | Sport
Southampton are awaiting a decision on the Spygate scandal (Image: PA)
The Spygate independent disciplinary commission will take place today as Southampton wait to learn their fate. The Saints, who beat Middlesbrough 2-1 over two legs to reach the Championship play-off final, have been charged with breaching the English Football League (EFL)’s regulations. Southampton stand accused of spying on Boro’s training session before the first leg.
A performance analyst from the Saints is alleged to have recorded the session and taken pictures but was caught and deleted the footage. The Teesside club have since demanded that their opponents are kicked out of the final against Hull City, labelling it “the only appropriate response” and declaring that Southampton’s actions went against “sporting integrity and fair competition”.
Boro are not allowed to be present for the hearing but have made it clear they expect sporting sanctions to deter clubs from spying on their rivals in the future. Express Sport runs you through what could happen next with the play-off final scheduled to take place this Saturday (May 23)…
Boro could get their wish and see Southampton thrown out of the play-offs and denied a chance at Premier League promotion. That will only happen if the commission upholds the charge against them.
If they do, Middlesbrough would likely be reinstated in Southampton’s place despite losing their semi-final. The Saints are virtually guaranteed to launch an appeal, if this happens, which would then almost certainly mean the play-off final is delayed. It could be rearranged to Tuesday May 26 to allow Boro time to sell and distribute tickets.
Perhaps the likeliest punishment, Southampton can expect financial repercussions if found guilty. Leeds United were fined £200,000 in February 2019 when found guilty of the same offence.
But that was before the EFL introduced rules strictly prohibiting observing opponents train within 72 hours of playing them. As a result, Tonda Eckert’s team can expect a much more significant monetary fine, perhaps in the millions.
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Southampton could be kicked out of the Championship play-off final (Image: Getty)
Southampton handed points deduction
If it’s confirmed the Saints’ main punishment is that they will face a points deduction, then that will undoubtedly spark outrage. That’s because if they win the play-off final, any deduction would be ineligible in the Premier League. It can only apply in the EFL.
As such, it would not apply until the club return to the second tier and there is no way to tell when that will be. But if they lose to Hull City, they would start the 2026-27 Championship season on minus points. It is unclear yet just how many.
If Eckert is found to have sanctioned his analyst’s travel to Boro’s Rockliffe headquarters, he could be in for a lengthy touchline ban. And his staff could also face suspensions.
But there is also the possibility that Eckert is banned from football entirely. In 2024, Bev Priestman – the Canadian Women’s head coach – was banned from football for a year by FIFA after a spying scandal at the Paris Olympics.
Southampton ruled innocent
It is also possible that the commission decides Southampton are guilty of no offence, and that the charge is dismissed. It goes without saying that is the outcome that the south coast outfit are hoping for.
Middlesbrough do not have the right to an appeal, unlike Southampton. The EFL can on their behalf, though. Boro have indicated they could seek legal action but EFL rules mean they cannot take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
