trousers

Playing devil's advocate here... How do we know for certain what was presented at the tribunal, given we haven't seen the official report of who did or said what yet? All we have so far is 2nd hand reports from the media who weren't in the room, don't we? In other words, shouldn't we wait for the official report before coming to conclusions?

Alas, I think this is where we are, however.... Having said categorically yesterday that I think Tonda's position is untenable, I woke up this morning wondering if there was ANY scenario upon which Tonda could stay... I then read Guan's post and thought: "hmm, ok, maybe there is such a scenario where he doesn't get the boot".... I do get the train of thought that says: "who better to get us out of this mess than the man who has most to prove and rectify?".... and then I start thinking: "what IF (big if) the FA don't ban him? Wouldn't that indicate that he didn't break the rules willfully and that he therefore deserves a chance to put things right?" All that said, my gut feeling is that he still has to go.... And I suspect the FA will ban him anyway, so this is probably a moot discussion ... But... there is also a small part of me that gets the argument to stick with him... (As you would expect from me, being fence-sitter-in-chief!) So, is there any logic or merit in the club waiting for the FA's verdict or should they preempt that and get rid 'now', even if they think there a chance the FA might find him "not guilty" (of willfully breaking the rules)...?

Thinking about it, him getting injured (not seriously) before / during the World Cup might be the only scenario in which he stays.... If he has a good World Cup then surely he'll be off? (Unless he feels he owes the club another season for sticking by him the last few years?)

So, was this talk about us having evidence of other clubs doing the same thing a load of BS, or was it deemed inadmissible in this case and will instead come to light further down the line? Parsons' statement earlier today was clearly inferring it was wider spread than just ourselves.... I guess we'll find out when the report is published...?

Good evening Matt 🙂

Give this fella the keys to the club. He'll be the biggest loss this summer 😟

Not just that, but you can imagine how every single press conference and post match interviews would go... Sadly, his position is untenable, end of.

Let's instigate a merger and get the Monkey Chicken Petting Zoo plans off the ground at long last 🐒🐓

Aye... They're not going to want to be associated with a sinking ship, are they...?

Source?

I reckon we could get the likes of Dominos to sponsor us...

So, Aston Villa win the Europa League... Anyone remember that 'sliding doors' match that we lost to Villa, before which we were on the up and they were on the slide...? Funny old game...

Following the statement from the club, I am also expecting a press release from @stevegrant to apologise for this...

Nah... Will be much more amusing watching Middlesbrough suffer in the Premier League and for Gibson to have to mingle with chairmen and CEOs of clubs with much longer cheating charge sheets than Saints...

Southampton Football Club has this evening been informed that the EFL’s League Arbitration Panel has upheld the sanctions imposed earlier this week. As a result, the club will not participate in Saturday’s Championship Play-Off Final. This is an extremely disappointing outcome for everybody connected with Southampton Football Club. We know how painful this moment will be for our supporters, players, staff, commercial partners and the wider community who have given so much backing to the team throughout the season and we apologise once again to everyone impacted by this. While we fully acknowledge the seriousness of this matter and the scrutiny that has followed, the club has consistently believed the original sporting sanction was disproportionate, a view that has been widely shared by many in the football community over the last 24 hours. We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to our supporters for the support, patience and loyalty they have shown throughout an incredibly difficult period. We will share information as soon as possible in relation to ticket refunds for those who bought tickets to Wembley. Southampton Football Club has a proud history and strong foundations, but it is clear that trust now needs to be rebuilt. That work begins immediately. The club will reflect carefully on the events that have led to this point, learn from them and take the necessary steps to move forward responsibly. While tonight is a painful moment, this football club will respond with humility, accountability and determination to put things right.

House!

Yeah, but he was 'our' bastard... Oh for one of his ilk on the board the last few weeks...

That's a subtle rewording of ITV's earlier message... i.e. that the announcement is "expected by around 10pm"

One would imagine this Pannick fella knows a thing or two about filibustering in order to drag things out to the point where the EFL has no choice but to postpone the final...? #wishfulthinking

Gotta be good, surely?