Leo Scienza, Southampton's player of the season, has described the club's expulsion from the Championship play-offs for spying offences as 'heartbreaking', insisting that the fans 'definitely deserved better'.
Background to the Sanctions
Middlesbrough will face Hull in Saturday's play-off final at Wembley after Southampton lost their appeal against the sanctions imposed for 'Spygate'. The club admitted three spying charges, including observing a Middlesbrough training session ahead of their 2-1 aggregate victory in the play-off semi-finals. In addition to expulsion, Southampton were docked four points for next season.
Scienza's Emotional Response
The Brazilian winger, who registered seven goals and 10 assists in 44 appearances, took to Instagram to express his feelings. He wrote: 'Disappointment, anger, sadness... It's difficult to find the right words for what we're all feeling right now. What has happened over the last days is heartbreaking for the club, for every player in this dressing room, and above all for our supporters. A moment like this should never end the way it did.'
He added: 'I feel sorry for every football fan, as well as the players and supporters of Hull and Boro, who were caught up in all of this chaos too. We gave everything for this dream. Day after day, sacrifice after sacrifice, always believing we could bring this club back to where it belongs. For me, the dream of playing in the Premier League was something I fought for with everything I had. That's why this pain cuts so deep. The hardest part is knowing how much our fans deserved this moment. You stood behind us all season with incredible passion, loyalty and belief. Even in the toughest moments, you carried us forward. Thank you for staying with us through everything, you definitely deserved better.'
Club and Fan Reactions
Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons described the punishment as 'manifestly disproportionate' compared to any other sanction in English football history. The club had sold more than 37,000 tickets for the play-off final. Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier urged the club to 'focus on restoring our reputation', acknowledging that there is 'a lot of work to be done'.
Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 after extra time at St Mary's having drawn 0-0 at the Riverside Stadium, were reinstated on Tuesday following an independent commission's findings. Southampton's appeal was dismissed on Wednesday, ending their chance of promotion to the Premier League, a prize worth an estimated £200 million.
