Southampton Await Spygate Fate

Southampton could discover their fate in the ongoing spygate row as early as tomorrow, with the English Football League (EFL) hearing set to take place on Tuesday. 

Saints made it to the Championship play-off final courtesy of an extra-time victory over Middlesbrough last week, but the tie was marred by allegations that a Southampton technical intern covertly watched and recorded Boro’s training sessions in the build-up.

Continued media reports have identified the Saints employee in question, and the EFL is now determining whether the rulebreaking was an isolated incident or a systemic operation.

The latter could mean serious implications for Southampton’s promotion bid, with calls for the south-coast side to be expelled from the final gathering momentum.

This will be the EFL’s first opportunity to flex its muscles after introducing new rules around spying in 2019, following Leeds United’s indiscretion during the build up to a league game against Derby County that season.

The Yorkshiremen were fined £200,000 for their part, but with a rumoured £200 million at stake in the play-off final this year, there is huge pressure on the league to come down hard on Tonda Eckert’s side.

At the back end of last week, the EFL confirmed that a hearing will take place “on or before Tuesday 19 May”, and with the Championship play-off showpiece scheduled for this weekend, we’re expecting a quick turnaround.

Southampton Still the Bookies’ Pick

Despite a potential suspension hanging over them, Southampton remain hot favourites to seal promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Saints are 2/5 to beat Hull inside 90 minutes at Wembley, with the Tigers way behind in the betting, hovering around the 2/1 mark with most bookmakers.

But with a judgement imminent, don’t be surprised to see Middlesbrough enter the field as the new promotion favourite should Southampton find themselves kicked to the curb.