Saints Charged With Spying on Mboro Training

[Dman]

2 minutes ago, benjii said:

It's clear we accept that some person with some link to the club was there.

But if that link is "former intern" and if we didn’t put him up to it, and if we didn't actually receive or use any of the info, then frankly this barely even merits a fine.

I would imagine that is the defence. 

I dont believe it personally, but provinig it is the thing here. 

[AlexLaw76]

I bet Boro journalists and online bloggers are going fucking mental at that statement.

[Miltonaggro]

4 minutes ago, benjii said:

It's clear we accept that some person with some link to the club was there.

But if that link is "former intern" and if we didn’t put him up to it, and if we didn't actually receive or use any of the info, then frankly this barely even merits a fine.

Exactly this. Saints are acting professionally and observing the protocols of their governing body.  

[Jimmy_D]

52 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

https://www.efl.com/news/2026/may/08/efl-/
 

the 14 day thing has been brought forward according to the statement from the efl.

The EFL have requested the independent panel expedite it, but they're under no obligation to do so, and they have to take into account Southampton's side, arbitrarily restricting our opportunity to defend ourselves potentially opens them up to all sorts of problems.

[LGTL]

That’s a great statement. 

Basically a polite ‘fuck off you absolute cunts, we’ll sort this in our own time thanks’. 

I bet Boro and their hacks are losing their minds at that. 

Edited 9 hours ago by LGTL

[Turkish]

1 hour ago, RedArmy said:

Good morning to the Boro fans. 
 

It’s another glorious day of not being kicked out of the playoffs. 

Doo doo doo scummers going no where doo doo doo

[Turkish]

Just now, LGTL said:

That’s a great statement. 

Basically a polite ‘fuck off you absolute cunts, we’ll sort this in our time thanks’. 

I bet Boro and their hacks are losing their minds at that. 

Simon Jordan summed it up nicely by the laws it’s cheating but really it’s just bad form and we’ve gained no real advantage from it. When asked what we he do if it was one of his staff he replied “ask they why they got caught” 

 

[saintant]

9 minutes ago, trousers said:

SAINTS CEO Phil Parsons has said the club are conducting an internal review in a new statement addressing the EFL charge for alleged spying.

Saints have been referred to a disciplinary commission by the EFL following a complaint of unauthorised filming at Middlesbrough's training ground.

An initial three-line Saints statement acknowledged the charges and vowed to "fully cooperate", but said they could make no further comment.

They are not expected to contest the charge for the incident, which took place on Thursday, two days before the Championship play-off semi-final.

While Boro are pushing for the harshest possible sanctions, including play-off expulsion, Saints will attempt to mitigate the circumstances of the breaches.

In a new statement, Parsons said: "We would like to provide a brief update regarding the incident reported at Middlesbrough last week.

"The club is fully cooperating with the EFL and the Disciplinary Commission, whilst also undertaking an internal review to ensure that all facts and context are properly understood.

"Given the intensity of the fixture schedule and the short turnaround between matches, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly.

"We understand the discussion and speculation that has followed over recent days, but we also believe it is important that the full context is established before conclusions are drawn.

"Having spent a significant amount of time around this football club, I know the character of the people within it.

"The togetherness shown by players, staff and supporters throughout this season has been a huge part of the progress we have made, and I am confident that spirit will remain unchanged.

"This season has represented another important step forward for the football club.

"While we know there is still more work ahead of us, and we are not yet where we ultimately want to be, the unity shown during challenging moments has continued to define Southampton Football Club.

"The support from our fans throughout the season has once again been exceptional, and everyone connected with the club remains fully committed to building long-term success in the right way.

"Dragan Solak continues to support the club financially, and we remain proud to have stayed competitive while operating within financial regulations, something that is important for the long-term stability of the club.

"Our focus now turns fully to this evening’s game. This is the time for all of us to get behind the team and create another special atmosphere at St Mary’s."

 

One of the key sentences for me is this one;

"Having spent a significant amount of time around this football club, I know the character of the people within it.''

Might be wrong but I read this as a subtle message saying that he knows nothing proven is coming out that will stain reputations.

[bpsaint]

18 hours ago, Zorba said:

 

The board are getting desperate now!

 

Up to a massive 106 signatures now. I’m shitting it.

Edited 8 hours ago by bpsaint

[trousers]

Portsmouth Community Football Club supporters giving the Boro Babies a run for their money in the 'Thickest Fans on the Planet" stakes...

 

[hypochondriac]

9 minutes ago, Jimmy_D said:

The EFL have requested the independent panel expedite it, but they're under no obligation to do so, and they have to take into account Southampton's side, arbitrarily restricting our opportunity to defend ourselves potentially opens them up to all sorts of problems.

Yep. I hope we take the full 14 days. Would be really funny if it wasn't resolved the to.e the final rolls around if we make it.

[Toadhall Saint]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

Portsmouth Community Football Club supporters giving the Boro Babies a run for their money in the 'Thickest Fans on the Planet" stakes...

 

Don’t think we have cheated any charities. 

[The Kraken]

The club have asked for more time to conduct an internal review.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx21kpmdj97o

[trousers]

1 minute ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Don’t think we have cheated any charities. 

Nor paid players we bought with money we didn't have to 'win' a cup...

Nor had millions of pounds of HMRC debt conveniently written off...

Etc, etc...

[coalman]

Club have put out a statement

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/a-message-from-ceo-phil-parsons-2026

We would like to provide a brief update regarding the incident reported at Middlesbrough last week.

The club is fully cooperating with the EFL and the Disciplinary Commission, whilst also undertaking an internal review to ensure that all facts and context are properly understood.

Given the intensity of the fixture schedule and the short turnaround between matches, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly.

We understand the discussion and speculation that has followed over recent days, but we also believe it is important that the full context is established before conclusions are drawn.

Having spent a significant amount of time around this football club, I know the character of the people within it. The togetherness shown by players, staff and supporters throughout this season has been a huge part of the progress we have made, and I am confident that spirit will remain unchanged.

This season has represented another important step forward for the football club. While we know there is still more work ahead of us and we are not yet where we ultimately want to be, the unity shown during challenging moments has continued to define Southampton Football Club.

The support from our fans throughout the season has once again been exceptional, and everyone connected with the club remains fully committed to building long-term success in the right way.

Dragan Solak continues to support the club financially, and we remain proud to have stayed competitive while operating within financial regulations, something that is important for the long-term stability of the club.

Our focus now turns fully to this evening’s game. This is the time for all of us to get behind the team and create another special atmosphere at St Mary’s.

Phil Parsons
CEO
Southampton Football Club

[trousers]

Yep, this caught my eye too... "It's not good, but it's not as bad as some of these other clubs that flout the financial regulations, guv"

 

[trousers]

6 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

The club have asked for more time to conduct an internal review.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx21kpmdj97o

 

2 minutes ago, coalman said:

Club have put out a statement

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/a-message-from-ceo-phil-parsons-2026

We would like to provide a brief update regarding the incident reported at Middlesbrough last week.

The club is fully cooperating with the EFL and the Disciplinary Commission, whilst also undertaking an internal review to ensure that all facts and context are properly understood.

Given the intensity of the fixture schedule and the short turnaround between matches, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly.

We understand the discussion and speculation that has followed over recent days, but we also believe it is important that the full context is established before conclusions are drawn.

Having spent a significant amount of time around this football club, I know the character of the people within it. The togetherness shown by players, staff and supporters throughout this season has been a huge part of the progress we have made, and I am confident that spirit will remain unchanged.

This season has represented another important step forward for the football club. While we know there is still more work ahead of us and we are not yet where we ultimately want to be, the unity shown during challenging moments has continued to define Southampton Football Club.

The support from our fans throughout the season has once again been exceptional, and everyone connected with the club remains fully committed to building long-term success in the right way.

Dragan Solak continues to support the club financially, and we remain proud to have stayed competitive while operating within financial regulations, something that is important for the long-term stability of the club.

Our focus now turns fully to this evening’s game. This is the time for all of us to get behind the team and create another special atmosphere at St Mary’s.

Phil Parsons
CEO
Southampton Football Club

Keep up chaps... You're only half hour behind everyone else...

Edited 8 hours ago by trousers

[Saint Pete]

17 minutes ago, Jimmy_D said:

The EFL have requested the independent panel expedite it, but they're under no obligation to do so, and they have to take into account Southampton's side, arbitrarily restricting our opportunity to defend ourselves potentially opens them up to all sorts of problems.

The other issue is even once they make a decision, there would surely have to be some form of right to appeal so that would need to also take place in time for ticket sales etc for the final. 

[coalman]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

 

Keep up chaps... You're only half hour behind everyone else...

Another item on my bucket list ticked off then 😉

[trousers]

[saintant]

11 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Yep. I hope we take the full 14 days. Would be really funny if it wasn't resolved the to.e the final rolls around if we make it.

I guess the longer it goes on the longer the Boro players will have to keep training through their summer break 🙂

[Dman]

7 minutes ago, trousers said:

Yep, this caught my eye too... "It's not good, but it's not as bad as some of these other clubs that flout the financial regulations, guv"

 

hahahahaha

I fear for a few up in the north east today. I suspect a few blood pressures will be risen to dangerous levels.

[coalman]

24 minutes ago, Jimmy_D said:

The EFL have requested the independent panel expedite it, but they're under no obligation to do so, and they have to take into account Southampton's side, arbitrarily restricting our opportunity to defend ourselves potentially opens them up to all sorts of problems.

Including the fact that they're cherry picking which part of their regulations they're choosing to abide by. Though I suspect the statement about asking the independent panel to expedite it is more of a media sop to Middlesborough to say "hey we tried to move the timescale up" while knowing full well that the panel can't deny us the right to due process.

[Dman]

15 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Yep. I hope we take the full 14 days. Would be really funny if it wasn't resolved the to.e the final rolls around if we make it.

At what point does kicking us out become even more unfeasible.

Along side us selling tickets, they'd need to work through refunding, there is then another arguement from Hull in that they only had X days to prepare to play Boro. 

[disconnect]

9 minutes ago, trousers said:

Yep, this caught my eye too... "It's not good, but it's not as bad as some of these other clubs that flout the financial regulations, guv"

 

100% - this needs to be put into context. Someone observing a training session (and likely not gaining barely any info) is hardly comparable to financial doping, or in game cheating!!

[AlexLaw76]

Imagine if it emerges Boro have not been acting within financial regulations.

I am sure they have. But would be funny as fuck if not.

[coalman]

Realistically there's no way to hold any kind of meaningful hearing before the play off final without invalidating the results of it. So the EFL finds itself in a bit of a bind here. They also, by their own rules, have to allow an independent panel to run it and cannot be seen to be interfering with the panel. Their ideal situation is Boro beat us in the second leg or they have a total mess to deal with in very little time. They also don't want to set a precedent that you can go back and appeal results after the event because every team affected by another team breaching the rules will be looking to rewrite past wrongs in court.

In the mean time Middlesbrough's lawyers also know this and will have briefed the club to that effect so the club has decided to make as much noise about it as possible in the hopes of causing sufficient distraction so we don't show up on the pitch knowing full well it might well affect the hearing later. You might argue that it worked during the first half on Saturday but, the longer it goes on, the more it becomes a distraction for Boro than for us. They've had the adrenaline of the immediate outrage and the players have to be wondering why their club isn't confident that they can get the job done on the football pitch. Allied with the sense of hopelessness that, even when they were completely dominant, they couldn't stick the ball in the net.

Meanwhile, the Saints leadership has refused to get involved in a public war of words - which allows us to keep focus on the game. On top of that we weathered the storm and came out level when we were at our absolute worst and probably should have nicked it based on the chances we created in the second half. And, if anything the hysteria coming out of Teeside is likely to be motivating for us now.

Edited 8 hours ago by coalman

[Dman]

16 minutes ago, trousers said:

The last sentance has got the jucies flowing. 

I'd love it if we put in a counter claim against them for not acting in upmost good faith and trying to unsettle us. 

[Dman]

10 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Imagine if it emerges Boro have not been acting within financial regulations.

I am sure they have. But would be funny as fuck if not.

You've got to be joking. 

El Chapo can't even afford to pay security, let alone breach FFP. 

If he spent less time fighting silly legal battles, they might have not been a mid table championship side for how ever many years. 

[bpsaint]

18 minutes ago, Dman said:

At what point does kicking us out become even more unfeasible.

Along side us selling tickets, they'd need to work through refunding, there is then another arguement from Hull in that they only had X days to prepare to play Boro. 

It’s already got too messy if we’re being honest. If there was a genuine likelihood of kicking us out then the first leg should never have gone ahead and the final should have been postponed. 
 

The sheer scale of the legal cases that then get thrown at the EFL from us, Wrexham, even Millwall could argue that with us being kicked out and pushing Wrexham up a position it means they should have played each other, and hull should be facing Boro.

Plus they’ll get my invoice for the cost of my travel to a game that shouldn’t have gone ahead the wankers.

[obelisk]

9 minutes ago, Dman said:

The last sentance has got the jucies flowing. 

I'd love it if we put in a counter claim against them for not acting in upmost good faith and trying to unsettle us. 

Aren't Boro doing the equivalent of surrounding the ref and demanding he shows their opponent a red card? Certainly unsporting and worth a punishment.

[RedArmy]

22 minutes ago, disconnect said:

100% - this needs to be put into context. Someone observing a training session (and likely not gaining barely any info) is hardly comparable to financial doping, or in game cheating!!

Yeah it’s very important in the context. 
 

Breaching financial regulations gives teams an advantage for anywhere from 46 games up to 138 depending on how much and when they overspent in that 3 year period. 
 

At the moment there’s proof (of some sort) that we tried to gain an advantage for 1 game. 
 

Even if it comes to light or there is suspicion that we’ve been doing it for a few months the advantage gained is still less than a team that’s breached PSR. 
 

 

[Miltonaggro]

33 minutes ago, saintant said:

I guess the longer it goes on the longer the Boro players will have to keep training through their summer break 🙂

Indeed. Hope we beat them 4-0 tonight to make their ongoing relationship with the mighty Boro even more special.

[It's There]

This part of the statement,

'Dragan Solak continues to support the club financially, and we remain proud to have stayed competitive while operating within financial regulations, something that is important for the long-term stability of the club.'

as others have said, is clearly highlighting the financial cheats that get points deducted, with the club (or someone in it) having, somehow, made a 'bad form' decision on a lesser scale.

Clearly, the club are informing everyone  to keep things in perspective... and for the team to win tonight!

 

[coalman]

1 hour ago, bpsaint said:

Up to a massive 106 signatures now. I’m shitting it.

I'm pretty sure that means they'll have to debate it in Parliament now, or something.

[trousers]

1 hour ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Playing for time and rightly so.

 

 

[Willo of Whiteley]

@Fabrice29 Your club statement has arrived, or are you still not satisfied?

[Tom & Gerry]

Tonight could be a bit weird though. Win and then it's like the longest var ever

[Willo of Whiteley]

To all the Boro fans reading this thread:

- If you’re that convinced you’ll be in the final regardless of if you win tonight, then please have your team throw the game, let’s see how confident you really are

- Take your eyes off your stolen mobile phone for two minutes, remember there is a whole world out there which isn’t delusional, book your summer holiday to Scarborough and relax

- We won’t be kicked out the play offs because of all the legal ramifications that would rumble on for years

- And finally, fucking haha! 🤣

Edited 7 hours ago by Willo of Whiteley

[Holmes_and_Watson]

4 hours ago, goodymatt said:

 

It reminded me of the genuine smile Tonda shared with Edozie after the whistle. Nearly a winner on the day, but no recrimination about it. Just appreciating it for what it was.

[trousers]

Just now, Willo of Whiteley said:

To all the Boro fans reading this thread:

- If you’re that convinced you’ll be in the final regardless of if you win tonight, then please have your team throw the game, let’s see how confident you really are

Indeed... One assumes they'll be putting out their U21s in order to rest their first team for the final, given our expulsion is inevitable....

[Holmes_and_Watson]

6 minutes ago, coalman said:

I'm pretty sure that means they'll have to debate it in Parliament now, or something.

I hear that the play off final was going to have to wait until Andy Burnham becomes a MP, then gets elected Labour leader and then makes a statement about it. And then we have to wait in case we backtrack from a Trump truth social post.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Difficult to get proof when you’re begging for it like little weasels 

[beatlesaint]

6 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Difficult to get proof when you’re begging for it like little weasels 

Well there's a fkin surprise......i guess not everyone trains in view of a public footpath and a golf course......who knew ? 🤷‍♂️ 

[tdmickey3]

30 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

@Fabrice29 Your club statement has arrived, or are you still not satisfied?

Wouldn't be needed if we had wussel 😁

[Willo of Whiteley]

12 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Wouldn't be needed if we had wussel 😁

Courageous, brave and full of gratitude

[OldNick]

2 hours ago, Midfield_General said:

When we go back for the wedding night I was rather hoping you'd hide in the bushes and film it

I dont think they have invented a camera that is quick enough to capture your performance

[hypochondriac]

Some of the articles about this are very funny. "all options are on the table" well yes you'd expect that to be the case in every circumstance. If someone nicked a penny sweet you're going to keep your options open during an investigation just in case they discover that you've also murdered a whole bunch of people. Boro desperately scrabbling for proof of other spying campaigns and thus far coming up empty before they've even lost this evening.

[Saint_clark]

God I'm sick of hearing about it from these absolute melts now. Pray to God we smash them 5-0.

[Kenilworthy1959]

What worries me is that there is a precedent with Swindon, although from many years ago. They beat Sunderland in the 1990 playoff and then were not allowed to go into the first division. In fact the initial punishment had them relegated to the third division. So the authorities allowed the playoff to go ahead knowing full well it was invalid. Although Swindon's offence was making illegal payments to players, so much more severe than ours.