Middlesbrough have publicly stated they want Southampton to be 'prevented from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final' over the 'Spygate' scandal. Boro's bombshell statement, released on Friday, says kicking Saints out is the 'only appropriate response' over an issue that 'goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition'.
As revealed by Daily Mail Sport last Thursday, a Southampton first-team analyst was caught allegedly filming Middlesbrough’s training from behind a tree ahead of Saturday’s play-off semi-final first leg, which ended goalless. On Friday night, the EFL charged the south coast club with a breach of their rules.
Middlesbrough's statement read: 'Middlesbrough FC notes the decision of the Disciplinary Commission not to permit the club to intervene in the proceedings brought by the EFL against Southampton FC.'
'The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact. Southampton must be thrown out of the play-offs for their spying scandal, say Middlesbrough.'
'The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition. In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final.'
'We remain hopeful that the EFL, as regulator, will pursue such a sanction before the Disciplinary Commission in order to protect the integrity of the game, safeguard all member clubs, and deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.'
'The club reserves all its legal rights.'
More to follow.
