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Reaction to Southampton expulsionImage source, OtherImage caption, The spying incident is alleged to have taken place two days before Middlesbrough's play-off semi-final first leg against Southampton Southampton will be playing in the Championship next season after they were expelled from the play-offs following their admission that they spied on three league rivals this season. In addition, they will start next season on minus four points after the English Football League (EFL) charged them with watching training sessions of Oxford United and Ipswich Town, in addition to filming Middlesbrough as they prepared for the first leg of their play-off semi-final on 7 May. Southampton beat Middlesbrough over two legs but the latter have been reinstated and will play Hull City for a place in the Premier League at Wembley on Saturday. The Saints have appealed, with that hearing set to be heard on Wednesday, but does the punishment fit the crime, or have they been harshly done by? Published10 hours ago'Spygate': Southampton out, Middlesbrough in 'They've paid the ultimate price'Southampton's expulsion from the play-off final means they will miss out on a game dubbed the richest in world football, with the winners guaranteed a minimum £110m in Premier League broadcast revenue. The whole saga came under the spotlight after Middlesbrough reported Southampton for spying on a training session on Thursday, 7 May as they prepared to meet each other in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals two days later. Saints were then charged by the EFL on 8 May with breaking two regulations. EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith; and EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any club from observing, or attempting to observe, another club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs. Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson praised the EFL for applying a punishment that he feels protects the integrity of the game. "It is like when you're a naughty kid. If you admit three or four things, you have clearly done seven or eight, and you have been caught for them all. The integrity of the game is of the utmost importance. "It is not the first time they have done it. They have offered their hand, and they have paid the ultimate price for it. It is a strong punishment." Ex-Arsenal defender Matt Upson felt the EFL had to send a strong message with the punishment. He said: "If you're going to set the standard for behaviour, if it is there and they have got legislation, and they want to apply it, that is what it's there for. Ex-Southampton midfielder Jo Tessem said his former club "did not have a leg to stand on". "I am speechless," he told BBC Radio Solent. "I am disappointed that the club had to go to these lengths to get the information they did. He added: "We have rules and we need to follow them. We have been punished hard for not following very simple rules and maybe football needs to set these rules and punish hard to get people to follow them. "Clearly when you admit to doing this three times it feels like you don't have much of a leg to stand on." To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played Some Southampton fans hoped the actual details of the spying incident involving Middlesbrough might help ensure there was some leniency in their punishment. The spy, Southampton analyst intern William Salt, is said to have parked at the golf club, then walked a couple of hundred yards down a road which leads to a raised area of ground. Sources told the BBC that the accused simply stood pointing his mobile at the training session, while wearing in-ear headphones. Middlesbrough staff believe he may have been live-streaming the session via a video call. Southampton fan Cameron said he expected expulsion from the play-offs was a strong possibility, but felt the four point deduction for next season in addition was too much. "I mean, from everything that was going on, we knew the punishment was going to be harsh. "After seeing the picture come out of what it was actually like with just an iPhone AirPods, we thought, okay, might not be that bad, but to be expelled from the play-offs and a four-point deduction seems way too harsh." Fellow Saints fans Chris Jewell added: "I think it's a bit unfair. "I know we have done wrong but how they can stop it when they have sold all these tickets, people have booked coaches. I am absolutely gutted about this." Middlesbrough supporters speaking to the BBC outside the club's Riverside Stadium on Tuesday were understandably delighted. Supporter and podcaster Jimmy Lees said: "It would have been massively unfair to the ethics of game of football. "If Southampton were able to play in the final on Saturday, what example would that set for everyone else in football? Is it worth cheating to try and get that unfair advantage? "Thankfully the EFL stood firm, gave their punishment and kicked Southampton out of the final. Now it is Middlesbrough's opportunity to play Hull and hopefully get Premier League promotion." Fellow fan Chris Saunders added: "I am stunned. Stuff like this doesn't happen to Boro - we are used to our hopes being dashed and bitter disappointment. I was expecting them to get away with it and a big fine."
Original Source: BBC Sport
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