obelisk

Bit early for that sort of drink-fuelled horror fantasy if you ask me.

Sorry but I've been to the pub. Fact is there's some on here that give up too easily to bullying opponents. Wouldn't want them on the pitch for Saints. Besides all the "woe is me" and "horrific crime" stuff is there anyone really willing to suggest that the harsh punishment handed out by the "independent" panel actually fits the "crime"?

I'm pondering on what form of alleged cheating is worth more of a punishment than another, or any punishment at all. I then consider whether Saints punishment might be a bit harsh but I'm sorry if you can't keep up. I'll gather up my sackcloth.

Thought it was obvious myself but let me try an analogy. Suppose it was the last minute in the Boro v Saints 1st leg with the scores at 0-0. A goal-bound shot comes in and a Saints defender punches it away off the line. The ref doesn't see it and the offence goes unpunished. Does that cheating have more or less obvious influence on the outcome of the game than a bloke standing by a tree less than 72 hours before a game? Would the EFL step in to reverse the result? If the head coach denies seeing what was obvious to camera evidence would the FA charge him or ban him? Would fans be publicly beating themselves with whips and declaring that the whole team be banished from the league? Or would we all just get a grip and get on with our lives?

He had a pretty severe punishment for something minor too.

I take it there's no chance of a friendly behind closed doors at Rockliffe Park then.

"Was" or "will be"?

"Gibbo" and his fans will be looking at this place and laughing at the surrendering self-immolation displayed by some. Presumably you'll be applauding the sporting chaps at 'Boro when they turn up at St Mary's next season before expecting Saints to throw the game as a measure of their ongoing guilt. As I said, get a grip.

Proof of a minor breach of a silly rule that didn't define a punishment. We got thrown out because "Gibbo" has friends in high places at the EFL, Saints went for a daft plea bargain and the "independent" panel had a conflict of interests that resulted in a punishment far outside any precedent or reasonableness. If you'd been following this at all then you'd know all that.

Don't ask me. I'd have told the EFL and the so-called "independent" panel to prove it and for "Gibbo" to buy a fence. Saints and some supporters need to get off their knees.

Minors? Pull yourself together.

A spot of scouting your opponent is widespread and all part of the game, especially if they're doing their drills in public. Get a grip!

Not really interested in FIFA's latest grubby festival. Might cast an eye towards a game or two if they're on in the pub while I'm there but I'll mostly be ignoring this one just like I did the last.

Alfie House reporting a rumour that TE has the backing of the players. Mind you, many won't be at Saints next season.

https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2026/05/28/spygate-a-former-boro-player-on-the-independent-panel-and-a-culture-of-data-mining/ 🫢

Hilarious. Football? Integrity? 🤣

Despite the corrupt EFL demanding years of stoppage time the useless unfit cry-babies still couldn'couldn't save themselves. Hope Saints send them on a journey to relegation next season.

Hilarious. Avoided the game all afternoon and I did a cheer when wife showed me the result. Deep into stoppage time too. So the unfit useless sods have now lost twice in the play- offs. Now for an opening fixture against the useless cry-babies.

Clearly Gibbo FC should now be ejected and Saints reinstated

I've taken myself off to Madeira. Any bars showing the game will be avoided.

I'm old enough to remember when football match results were decided on the pitch. Pretty soon every league table will be a series of asterisks detailing how good a team's lawyers were. Not sure I can be arsed any more.

Are Middlesbrough selling tickets for the final?

Given the latest revelations I have to wonder what it is that Tonda Eckert was itching to say during the play-off semi. 🫣

I wouldn't be so sure. There'll be redoubled efforts to not get caught for sure but it'd be interesting to see what draconian penalty might be handed down in future to match expulsion from the Championship play-off final.

So if the "spy" had been doing his scouting on Wednesday morning rather than Thursday all would be fine? It's a silly 72 hour rule that apparently nobody really adheres to but Saints still managed to get caught by a team with an owner with a grievance. The penalty of expulsion from the final is extreme and disproportionate but I don't see why that automatically allows the semi-final losers to step up rather than for Hull to just get a bye. Well I do really - it's all about money isn't it?