BotleySaint

Oh yes, it was worth it even if we were wrong

Club needs to terminate the contract of all involved. Apologise to the fans and players. But it really depends how high up this goes in the club and who sanctioned it. Can't trust the club right now. And they've made a mockery of our reputation as a club that may never recover.

The statement said we've admitted to the charges. Can't see why we'd appeal except against the level of punishment. I think we'll just have to accept this one. Now its on the club to explain wtf they are going to do, to stop it happening again.

The statement said we've admitted to the charges. Can't see why we'd appeal except against the level of punishment. I think we'll just have to accept this one. Now its on the club to explain wtf they are going to do, to stop it happening again.

Bollocks. Must have been evidence then. Idiots at the club.

Whereas normally they are told yeah, whatever. Tell all our secrets. No problem.

To be honest, if its true we've been doing it all season and breaking the rules. And its true Tonda is behind it and there is clear evidence. Then yes, fair enough, we deserve whatever is due for that. We can't really complain? But up till now there has been nothing solid to go on except the one picture and rumors.

Another day or waiting then ** sigh **

Surely our lawyers will be making the point that this is a minor rule breach and no advantage was gained as per the evidence of the first leg. If we had destroyed them 3 or 4 nil in the first match the argument might hold more weight..

Honestly, any advantage we may have gained from the alleged incident is mythological at this stage and is apparent to anyone who watched the match. This should come down to the simple matter of our timing. We watched their training outside the limited window. We don't even know for how long, probably a few mins at most from which they are claiming we gained advantage enough to beat them? Awarding a 3 nil win is just the same as removing us from the playoffs unless they plan to then reschedule the second leg to be played again.

Heartsbreaking

What is frustrating me: There are so many in the media and beyond who seem to be spouting moral outrage about the spying aspect. As if the spying was the crime. Yet its perfectly OK if its outside the 72 hour window and not a breach of rules. Right? Spying or, one could use the word simply watching other teams train, is normal. The crime was (alledgedly) doing this at the wrong time. I hope the panel deciding on this can separate these out and look at the actual fault. We aren't being put on trial for spying. But for the timing of it. At least that is what i understand.. unless they are saying watching another team train, at any time, is wrong.

This whole saga is a case study of how society has been changed by social media. You can now create for yourself an echo chamber and have your opinions validated, no matter how insane or ridiculous. You can avoid conflicting voices and in doing so, never be challenged. The validation gives you a stronger determination, sense of righteousness and ends up leading to even more insane or ridiculous thoughts. You can even get celebrity figures backing you up. Until you've lost touch with reality. And anyone who disagrees with you must burn! Whereas 20 years ago, you might go down the pub and rant to your mates, or your family, or work colleagues. Some might even agree and rant back. But you'd have to give it a rest at some point whilst you wait for the newspaper or evening news to find out the latest. A small rule breach has turned into this. Right.. I'm deleting my account

Surely each of these claims needs to be backed up by sufficient evidence. Not one picture of a guy standing near a tree...

Honestly, at this point aren't Middlesborough just opening themselves up to legal challenge? It's starting to get to the point where a fair trial simply isn't possible due to the amount of whining BS they've been spouting in the media. We'll have to be let off as it's no longer possible to reach an unbiased opinion with all that noise! BBC have really conducted themselves like idiots too. Clearly a Middlesborough fan in their ranks. I'd love to see Middlesborough try to prove how we had a competitive advantage over the two games by looking at the footage. You wouldn't even get past the first half of the first leg before concluding that's just a nonsense opinion. They were all over us!