Saints Charged With Spying on Mboro Training

[Toadhall Saint]

51 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

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

It’s fookin embarrassing. Like a kids playground- come and join our gang! I can’t see another club wanting to get involved in something that has the potential to be long and drawn out and therefore end up costing money no one has.

[saintant]

Some complete dope on the Boro forum read our club statement and made this insightful comment,

'In the full statement there is no mention of the manager. I suspect he is finished. I wonder if they stand him down for tonight'

 

How mad is that 🙂

Edited 9 hours ago by saintant

[RedArmy]

3 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

It’s fookin embarrassing. Like a kids playground- come and join our gang! I can’t see another club wanting to get involved in something that has the potential to be long and drawn out and therefore end up costing money no one has.

You’d also assume most clubs would rather we went up and were out of the league and if they don’t really have much to gain from helping Boro they would be inclined to keep their mouths shut rather than have to face us twice again next season and battle us for promotion. 
 

[coalman]

7 minutes ago, Kenilworthy1959 said:

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.

In case you've been living under a rock. NO OFFENCE IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL HAS BEEN WORSE THAN THIS!!!!!!

(or worthy of shouty capitalisation)

[OldNick]

The few genuine facts I have seen so far is that a person who was said to be filming,was approached by a member of staff  The said person was then told to erase all the pictures who I assume did so and then ran off.

Did he show that member of staff what he had recorded to assure it was erased? It is all so mickey mouse

[badgerx16]

10 minutes ago, Kenilworthy1959 said:

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.

So, if that is precedent, Hull will be promoted.

[beatlesaint]

4 minutes ago, saintant said:

Some complete dope on the Boro forum read our club statement and made this insightful comment,

'In the full statement there is no mention of the manager. I suspect he is finished. I wonder if they stand him down for tonight'

 

How mad is that 🙂

Bloody hell, all the intelligence of a Tipping Point contestant.

[benjii]

The club should seriously consider a defamation suit. It's one thing to make an allegation to the authorities for investigation but another thing to constantly brief the press with spurious shit whilst the investigation is ongoing.

[OldNick]

2 minutes ago, benjii said:

The club should seriously consider a defamation suit. It's one thing to make an allegation to the authorities for investigation but another thing to constantly brief the press with spurious shit whilst the investigation is ongoing.

That would be so sweet, its odd how their manager has backed off with the cheating stuff since saturday

[franniesTache]

Not going to lie i did think it was a bit suss when this fella was announced as our new tactics analyst but i guess it makes much more sense now

[SotonianWill]

19 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

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

I listened to one of their podcasts earlier where they were angry at Tonda for smiling in the Sky Sports pre match interview. 

[skintsaint]

1 hour ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

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

Yeah I can imagine them wanting to trawl through months of CCTV footage etc for no benefit for themselves, especially now they are on holiday.

[Fabrice29]

1 hour ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

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

I didn’t ask for a club statement, so no? I didn’t ask for anything did I? I said I find it a bit odd and sign of guilt that they’ve let the narrative be pushed from one side only. I wouldn’t expect club statements to be full of detail but I would expect them to brief the local journalists if they wanted to push some form of defence out there but that continues to remain missing (the only bit of interest is Alfie House keeps pointing out they aren’t interested in fighting the charge). Some of you think that’s a sign of focus on tonight or doing things properly etc. I think it’s a sign they have little defence. It’s okay to have a differing opinion. 

Edited 9 hours ago by Fabrice29

[Dman]

10 minutes ago, benjii said:

The club should seriously consider a defamation suit. It's one thing to make an allegation to the authorities for investigation but another thing to constantly brief the press with spurious shit whilst the investigation is ongoing.

100% agree... Their own manager essentially said it pubically as well. 

[OldNick]

Boro have released images of the Spys get away vehicle

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

3 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

I didn’t ask for a club statement, so no? I didn’t ask for anything did I? I said I find it a bit odd and sign of guilt that they’ve let the narrative be pushed from one side only. I wouldn’t expect club statements to be full of detail but I would expect them to brief the local journalists if they wanted to push some form of defence out there but that continues to remain missing. Some of you think that’s a sign of focus on tonight or doing things properly etc. I think it’s a sign they have little defence. It’s okay to have a differing opinion. 

What do you think a "he said, she said" fanny waving contest between the Echo and the northern equivalent would achieve?

[Midfield_General]

3 hours 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."

 

Smart and completely justifiable move.

The more games we play/ win at this stage, the harder it is to expel us*. If we get to the final and win it, and the EFL then wanted to kick us out after that, then everyone else would effectively want to 'move up one', and they'd have all five of the other clubs clamouring for some sort of replay or compensation, plus Wrexham. It would be an absolute logistical, legal and financial nightmare for the league. 

It's too late for the games themselves not to be played, and Saints know that, so just need to push it back until after the final has been played to put as many barriers in the way as possible. The justification for that ('we need time to find out ourselves what happened') is a perfectly reasonable and valid request. 

(*Not that they will anyway, but let's just use it as the extreme worst case scenario) 

 

Edited 9 hours ago by Midfield_General

[Fabrice29]

7 minutes ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

What do you think a "he said, she said" fanny waving contest between the Echo and the northern equivalent would achieve?

Narrative control. Exactly what I said initially and exactly what any good PR team would set out to achieve. You’d think the club would want some sort of detail out there about what happened if they had any kind of defence. But as I said, given their only line seems to be they aren’t going to fight the charge then maybe they don’t have a defence and they just want to focus on mitigating the punishment. 

[Saint_lambden]

The book is going to be thrown at us sadly when it’s proven we have done this more than once. 

[Fabrice29]

2 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

Smart and completely justifiable move.

The more games we play/ win at this stage, the harder it is to expel us*. If we get to the final and win it, and the EFL then wanted to kick us out after that, then everyone else would effectively want to 'move up one', and they'd have all five of the other clubs clamouring for some sort of replay or compensation, plus Wrexham. It would be an absolute logistical, legal and financial nightmare for the league. 

It's too late for the games themselves not to be played, and Saints know that, so just need to push it back until after the final has been played to put as many barriers in the way as possible. The justification for that ('we need time to find ourselves what happened') is a perfectly reasonable and valid request. 

(*Not that they will anyway, but let's just use it as the extreme worst case scenario) 

 

This feels bang on imo. 

[Fleetbeast]

Having a right chuckle at some of the comments on here. 
Just answer these two questions right now.  Did you send someone up to Middlesbrough to spy on them less within 72 hours of the game. Yes or no will do for now. 
Have you spied on any other teams this season, within 72 hours of a game with them. Yes or no. 
 

You can provide the phone records tomorrow. 
 

Thank you. 

[Midfield_General]

3 hours 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.

In the same way that Boro's demands for what the punishment should be are absolutely meaningless as well.

'I found this urchin scrumping apples from my garden officer, I demand he be summarily executed by firing squad'

Not really how it works is it, you thick northern divs

Edited 8 hours ago by Midfield_General

[EssEffCee]

31 minutes ago, saintant said:

Some complete dope on the Boro forum read our club statement and made this insightful comment,

'In the full statement there is no mention of the manager. I suspect he is finished. I wonder if they stand him down for tonight'

 

How mad is that 🙂

It's funny how people read what they want into things. Some seem to think that statement says we know we're being kicked out.

Not sure how anyone could logically reach that conclusion.

[Midfield_General]

3 hours ago, bpsaint said:

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

They must have given it to three Middlesbrough women and they each asked their kids to sign it

Edited 9 hours ago by Midfield_General

[Farmer Saint]

The first 5 minutes of this episode is the Boro team right now...

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3omkzj

 

 

Edited 9 hours ago by Farmer Saint

[tdmickey3]

2 minutes ago, Fleetbeast said:

Having a right chuckle at some of the comments on here. 
Just answer these two questions right now.  Did you send someone up to Middlesbrough to spy on them less within 72 hours of the game. Yes or no will do for now. 
Have you spied on any other teams this season, within 72 hours of a game with them. Yes or no. 
 

You can provide the phone records tomorrow. 
 

Thank you. 

Bless, its Mr Gibson

[Fabrice29]

27 minutes ago, saintant said:

Some complete dope on the Boro forum read our club statement and made this insightful comment,

'In the full statement there is no mention of the manager. I suspect he is finished. I wonder if they stand him down for tonight'

 

How mad is that 🙂

Has anyone looked into that Canadian women’s team story that ended up with the manager suspended for a while? 

[benjii]

4 minutes ago, Fleetbeast said:

Having a right chuckle at some of the comments on here. 
Just answer these two questions right now.  Did you send someone up to Middlesbrough to spy on them less within 72 hours of the game. Yes or no will do for now. 
Have you spied on any other teams this season, within 72 hours of a game with them. Yes or no. 
 

You can provide the phone records tomorrow. 
 

Thank you. 

Don't know.

Don't know.

[Disco Stu]

6 minutes ago, Fleetbeast said:

Having a right chuckle at some of the comments on here. 
Just answer these two questions right now.  Did you send someone up to Middlesbrough to spy on them less within 72 hours of the game. Yes or no will do for now. 
Have you spied on any other teams this season, within 72 hours of a game with them. Yes or no. 
 

You can provide the phone records tomorrow. 
 

Thank you. 

Jesus wept 🤣

[Willo of Whiteley]

38 minutes ago, saintant said:

Some complete dope on the Boro forum read our club statement and made this insightful comment,

'In the full statement there is no mention of the manager. I suspect he is finished. I wonder if they stand him down for tonight'

 

How mad is that 🙂

Jay from the Inbetweeners: “Is he a retard?”

[Toadhall Saint]

8 minutes ago, Fleetbeast said:

Having a right chuckle at some of the comments on here. 
Just answer these two questions right now.  Did you send someone up to Middlesbrough to spy on them less within 72 hours of the game. Yes or no will do for now. 
Have you spied on any other teams this season, within 72 hours of a game with them. Yes or no. 
 

You can provide the phone records tomorrow. 
 

Thank you. 

I’m assuming you are the one that informed the EFL.

Edited 9 hours ago by Toadhall Saint

[Willo of Whiteley]

26 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

I didn’t ask for a club statement, so no? I didn’t ask for anything did I? I said I find it a bit odd and sign of guilt that they’ve let the narrative be pushed from one side only. I wouldn’t expect club statements to be full of detail but I would expect them to brief the local journalists if they wanted to push some form of defence out there but that continues to remain missing (the only bit of interest is Alfie House keeps pointing out they aren’t interested in fighting the charge). Some of you think that’s a sign of focus on tonight or doing things properly etc. I think it’s a sign they have little defence. It’s okay to have a differing opinion. 

They might have little defence, so go the other way now - be professional. Don’t start a slanging match needlessly which will bite you on the arse later.

[Appy]

Every fan I’ve spoke to without skin in the game don’t think we’ve done anything that bad. 
 

Average response is “meh, you’ll just get a fine”. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

14 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

In the same way that Boro's demands for what the punishment should be are absolutely meaningless as well.

'I found this urchin scrumping apples from garden officer, I demand he be summarily executed by firing squad'

Not really how it works is it, you thick northern divs

Exactly. Scrumping and spying are, and have always been deportation offences.

Ryan Fraser thought he'd got away from being dropped, only to find Tonda as his manager next season.

[Fleetbeast]

Would that be every Southampton fan you’ve spoken to Appy?
 

 

[Edmonton Saint]

As a pessimist, I can’t help but feel that this Spygate dark cloud, which is lingering over us, will not allow me to fully enjoy the game tonight and the hopeful Saints win. It was a ridiculous, unnecessary decision from whoever made it. If we win tonight, I hope that there is some conclusion by the fina.

[benjii]

1 minute ago, Fleetbeast said:

Would that be every Southampton fan you’ve spoken to Appy?
 

 

I've spoken to every Southampton fan. I've got a list.

[Fleetbeast]

Edmonton knows you’re bang to rights. Fair play fella. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

1 minute ago, Fleetbeast said:

Would that be every Southampton fan you’ve spoken to Appy?
 

 

Morning Mr Gibson

I’ve got a load of Pompey supporting mates, all but one have said “every team does it”, it’s hardly rocket science. A fine is justified.

Regards
 

[Midfield_General]

24 minutes ago, Fleetbeast said:

Having a right chuckle at some of the comments on here. 
Just answer these two questions right now.  Did you send someone up to Middlesbrough to spy on them less within 72 hours of the game. Yes or no will do for now. 
Have you spied on any other teams this season, within 72 hours of a game with them. Yes or no. 
 

You can provide the phone records tomorrow. 
 

Thank you. 

Fuck me do you think that's how it works 

It's obvious you lot are a bit special, but oh my god

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Midfield_General

[Stud mark of doom]

There is no way boro should get a huge benefit (getting a ‘bye’) from spotting someone watching their training. They have not suffered any material loss as a result - particularly as they spotted him and made him delete everything. 
 

We may well be punished but it will be decided after the play off final - almost certainly only a fine or (if we don’t go up) maybe a smallish points deduction. 

Thinking the outcome should impact the playoff outcome is crazy. 
 

 

[scumbag]

45 minutes ago, OldNick said:

The few genuine facts I have seen so far is that a person who was said to be filming,was approached by a member of staff  The said person was then told to erase all the pictures who I assume did so and then ran off.

Did he show that member of staff what he had recorded to assure it was erased? It is all so mickey mouse

Agree...but I feel like I must be missing something here perhaps?  When the story broke, wasn't it stated that the recording was deleted?  

I think most people agree that the behavior itself is wrong and constitutes a rule breach, but in respect of the materiality of that breach from a footballing perspective it had no impact by definition - on account of being erased? 

So an attempt to gain an advantage was made, but it was thwarted.  I get why dummies in the media and boro mongs are ramping it up, but ultimately this had zero impact from a potential advantage perspective.

[23rdSaint]

@Fleetbeast – oops, shot your load for today. Come back tomorrow 😘

[trousers]

57 minutes ago, OldNick said:

The few genuine facts I have seen so far is that a person who was said to be filming,was approached by a member of staff  The said person was then told to erase all the pictures who I assume did so and then ran off.

Did he show that member of staff what he had recorded to assure it was erased? It is all so mickey mouse

# MLG MODE #

How do you know those are "genuine facts"... I thought all we had to go on so far was a Daily Mail report?

[benjii]

5 minutes ago, scumbag said:

Agree...but I feel like I must be missing something here perhaps?  When the story broke, wasn't it stated that the recording was deleted?  

I think most people agree that the behavior itself is wrong and constitutes a rule breach, but in respect of the materiality of that breach from a footballing perspective it had no impact by definition - on account of being erased? 

So an attempt to gain an advantage was made, but it was thwarted.  I get why dummies in the media and boro mongs are ramping it up, but ultimately this had zero impact from a potential advantage perspective.

Unfortunately, the secret agent had high-tech, military-grade surveillance equipment which instantly pulls a satellite backhaul to Spectre's moon base, which sends a L.A.S.E.R. signal straight to Tonda's brain implant. 

Edited 8 hours ago by benjii

[AlexLaw76]

The Boro lot are still full blown mental about it all

[coalman]

31 minutes ago, Fleetbeast said:

Having a right chuckle at some of the comments on here. 
Just answer these two questions right now.  Did you send someone up to Middlesbrough to spy on them less within 72 hours of the game. Yes or no will do for now. 
Have you spied on any other teams this season, within 72 hours of a game with them. Yes or no. 
 

You can provide the phone records tomorrow. 
 

Thank you. 

Nothing was going to get this process expedited quicker than registering on another team's forum and asking their users to provide proof of wrongdoing. Well done. Now the EFL can throw us out before your team have to try and win a football match on the pitch. Thank God someone is taking the initiative to move this forwards.

[BotleySaint]

Just read the latest BBC article and assume the author is a Middlesbrough fan.

[Fabrice29]

25 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

They might have little defence, so go the other way now - be professional. Don’t start a slanging match needlessly which will bite you on the arse later.

Well if they have little defence it wouldn’t be much of a slanging match. Which is why I said it’s a sign of guilt. 

[trousers]

41 minutes ago, Saint_lambden said:

The book is going to be thrown at us sadly when it’s proven we have done this more than once. 

Source?