Spygate latest: Huge announcement set as Southampton brace for verdict | Football | Sport

Here is everything you need to know from the latest developments surrounding Middlesbrough’s Spygate saga…

• The Times has reported that Southampton will discover the outcome of the “Spygate” case on Wednesday, May 20.
• Their report indicates that a verdict from the independent commission will be delivered no more than 24 hours after the conclusion of the hearing, which got under way on Tuesday.
• However, the Daily Echo reports that Southampton are hopeful they will receive at least some indication of the likely outcome of the Spygate hearing today (Tuesday), even if the full and final verdict arrives tomorrow (Wednesday).
• Potential penalties include a points deduction, expulsion from the play-off final or a fine. However, the latter appears unlikely given that “sporting sanctions” are being considered should it be established that senior figures at the club were aware of the spying.
• Saints head coach Tonda Eckert and sporting director Johannes Spors could both face bans if found guilty.
• Southampton’s intern analyst William Salt, who was photographed allegedly filming Boro’s training session, may also face a separate individual sanction.
• The entire affair has left Hull City in a state of uncertainty, with the play-off final, scheduled for Saturday, May 23, now in doubt. Speaking to Sky Sports on the matter, former Hull defender Michael Dawson said: “Well, I absolutely hate it. The integrity of the game, the sportsmanship, and yes, look, managers, players, you try to make an advantage wherever you can, but going to do, if found guilty is unacceptable. They’ve got a big decision to make and they have to make it quick, cos you’ve got to think of all the Hull City fans that have booked the travel, the hotel, what will be the outcome? Only time will tell, but the EFL have certainly got a big, big decision to be made because we saw what happened with Leeds United when they were fined £200,000 a few years ago. I don’t like it, and I expect them to be punished severely.”