If Boro's officials, fans and media hadn't gone into such a frenzied and unhinged meltdown over a bloke, a tree and an iPhone, would this have been viewed any worse than an ungentlemanly 'misdemeanour' ? It's not even a specific rule in other leagues and, despite looking poor for any club which is found guilty, it's hardly the crime of the century.
That said, it would appear Hellberg's tears and the rest of the OTT response from Teesside has worked in that it's left many folk (Saints fans included) thinking the 'offence' is up there with poisoning the opponent's matchday breakfast and fearing eyewatering punishments as a result
Time will tell, I guess.
