Firstly how would they find four different clubs with proof of spying? That seems far fetched. This also conflicts with the reports from a few days ago that other clubs weren't interested.
You do wonder if they had been told of an indication at that point. It seems very foolish to put that out just before the hearing unless they thought that public opinion and pressure would influence things positively from their perspective.
I love that a hearing convened to establish if Southampton had broken rules by spying would uncover serious bullying claims that had hitherto been hidden. This independent panel are good!