Saints Expelled from Playoffs

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, IFHP said:

I think the verdict is we should be kicked out , BUT the logistics around that happening are too far complicated .

Boro should not go through as a result , and  that leaves the EFL with a problem . Who plays Hull ? SKY tv will want a game played as they’ve paid vast amounts of money for it . 
 

We are going to get a football sanction so if we don’t get kicked out then it will be points deduction. 
 

 

 

There is no verdict. The case hasn't even started yet. 

[Ted Bates Statue]

27 minutes ago, egg said:

That fringe is distinctive. Surprised it didn't flop into his coffee tbh. 

My ear lobe analysis suggests it is him, but surely someone else trained on the Paul Allen saga has already done a full review by now?

[CSA96]

25 minutes ago, LGTL said:

Analyst is Jason Taylor. Sacked by Saints earlier this season. Originally, we got him from…….Boro 😂

There we go

[AlexLaw76]

getting relentless

Quote

It's understood there are more Championship clubs, with other grievances being aired about the behaviour of Tonda Eckert's backroom staff during the regular season #saintsfc [Barry Cooper]

 

[Willo of Whiteley]

Apparently Southampton v Hull has been added on the club website as an upcoming fixture

(Boro fans Reading have just smashed their phones down on the table).

[Miltonaggro]

59 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Is it the efl who set the penalty or the independent panel? What do you make of the random rumour that there's a paper trail back to spors and we've been engaging in it since the summer? 

Not sure of their regs but you would imagine the panel reports to the regulator and its them that will set and impose the penalty. 

Anything not directly to do with this specific case (ie the boy with the phone) will be seen as irrelevant, so the Spors  link sounds like further hysterical nonsense. I cant think of any serious tribunal that would consider previous bad character of unconnected employees, and if it did its breaching conceptions of natural justice if it moves to law (i.e. actionable by SFC)

[sockeye]

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/match/hull-city-vs-southampton--sky-bet-championship-play-off-final-23-05-2026

[mss636]

Surely any former employee would be covered by an NDA?

[Toadhall Saint]

5 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

getting relentless

 

It maybe but that is totally irrelevant to what is happening now.

Edited Thursday at 18:40 by Toadhall Saint

[badgerx16]

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/match/hull-city-vs-southampton--sky-bet-championship-play-off-final-23-05-2026

Edited Thursday at 18:38 by badgerx16

[James G]

4 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Apparently Southampton v Hull has been added on the club website as an upcoming fixture

(Boro fans Reading have just smashed their phones down on the table).

If Boro fans are wanting a day out at Wembley, they can go and watch Harry Styles in June

[badgerx16]

2 minutes ago, mss636 said:

Surely any former employee would be covered by an NDA?

Could just be more Gibbo BS.

[Nolan]

33 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

It’s a mess. But it’s a mess of our making, not Middlesbrough, not their supporters, or their tame hacks & not the EFL. Sometimes there’s a ridiculous penalty awarded in the game, the phrase used is “he gave the referee a decision to make”, well we’ve given the authorities a decision to make, & rightly or wrongly, they could kick us out. Somebody at the club needs to pay for that with their job and I don’t mean the nipper with the iPhone. It’s a fucking shambles….

The general consensus on here is we’ll be ok, but I’m up and down. Sometimes I think it’ll be nothing, an hour later I’m thinking we’re fucked. The only thing I’m sure of, is the independent panel are independent. They’re also a body which relies on their integrity and reputation, they’re not going to be bothered about the logistics of playing the game without us, or Harry Styles gigging on the alternative date. Equally, they won’t want their decision being overturned by SR’s lawyers. The only consideration will be a verdict which is fair in most people’s eyes, proportionate and  legally defendable. The truth is nobody really knows what they’ll be presented with or what our mitigation is. Trying to second guess why this has happened (tickets going on sale) or that happened, is pointless. It’s all up in the air and it wouldn’t be if we’d stuck to the rules….  Fucking shambles. 

Yes the issue is of our making. 

But the media hype and the exaggeration of the facts when the story initially came out is not down to us. 

Boro fanned what seems to be overblown rhetoric.

[DellBlockH]

36 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Theyve all got them these days, all the boys at my school have that exact hair cut.

Wow. I thought you were older than that.

[James G]

Just now, badgerx16 said:

Could just be more Gibbo BS.

I wonder if Gibbo's office has a Wizard of Oz vibe with his large angry head projected onto a screen

[Mr X]

If proven and we do get some kind of sanction or points deduction or worse, has the club let the fans down? 

Or if its proven we did nothing wrong are borough going to apologise? 😜

[Miltonaggro]

4 minutes ago, mss636 said:

Surely any former employee would be covered by an NDA?

They are irrelevant to this case regardless. They cant be heard.

[Leighsterrr]

3 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/match/hull-city-vs-southampton--sky-bet-championship-play-off-final-23-05-2026

At last...almost sounds promising...

[verlaine1979]

6 minutes ago, mss636 said:

Surely any former employee would be covered by an NDA?

Seems unlikely that we'd get a lot of mileage trying to enforce an agreement to keep quiet about our rule breaking.

[Gloucester Saint]

I’m having a nice bottle of HSB folks in an old style Gale’s glass for old time’s sake.

Suggest everyone does the same, unplug from the internet bar what you need for work and take a break for a couple of days.

[James G]

7 minutes ago, mss636 said:

Surely any former employee would be covered by an NDA?

It'll be regarded as hearsay anyway I'm guessing 

[Toadhall Saint]

2 minutes ago, Mr X said:

If proven and we do get some kind of sanction or points deduction or worse, has the club let the fans down? 

Or if its proven we did nothing wrong are borough going to apologise? 😜

Only for being caught. Sounds like it goes on (and is accepted) all the time if the post earlier is to be believed.

[James]

I’m sure the former Boro employee that was sacked by Southampton Football Club will be completely impartial when preparing his witness statement. Should be heavily discounted or ignored by the Panel in my view. 

[trousers]

10 minutes ago, sockeye said:

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/match/hull-city-vs-southampton--sky-bet-championship-play-off-final-23-05-2026

Hull down as the designated home team then...? 

 

[Miltonaggro]

Just now, Gloucester Saint said:

I’m having a nice bottle of HSB folks in an old style Gale’s glass for old time’s sake.

Suggest everyone does the same, unplug from the internet bar what you need for work and take a break for a couple of days.

Good man!

[Football Special]

4 minutes ago, DellBlockH said:

Wow. I thought you were older than that.

He is, just been kept back a few years 

[Football Special]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

Hull down as the designated home team then...? 

 

Could be that winner of 3rd v 6th gets home team status, usually its team that finished 3rd but Hull have won that by beating Millwall 

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Football Special said:

Could be that winner of 3rd v 6th gets home team status, usually its team that finished 3rd but Hull have won that by beating Millwall 

They have themselves as the Home side on their site

[Football Special]

4 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

I’m having a nice bottle of HSB folks in an old style Gale’s glass for old time’s sake.

Suggest everyone does the same, unplug from the internet bar what you need for work and take a break for a couple of days.

Wise advice 👏 especially avoid the propaganda thats been pumped out of many media outlets in the past week 

[egg]

13 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

Not sure of their regs but you would imagine the panel reports to the regulator and its them that will set and impose the penalty. 

Anything not directly to do with this specific case (ie the boy with the phone) will be seen as irrelevant, so the Spors  link sounds like further hysterical nonsense. I cant think of any serious tribunal that would consider previous bad character of unconnected employees, and if it did its breaching conceptions of natural justice if it moves to law (i.e. actionable by SFC)

The penalties...I've highlighted the only one that matters, which is basically they have discretion to do whatever. 

93.2.1 order a party to do or refrain from doing anything;

93.2.2 order a specific performance;

93.2.3 make a declaration on any matter to be determined;

93.2.4 issue a reprimand or warning as to the future conduct of a party

93.2.5 order the payment of compensation to The League, any Club, any other club, Player or other person

93.2.6 order a suspension of membership of The League

93.2.7 order a deduction of points;

93.2.8 impose a financial penalty payable to The League;

93.2.9 recommend expulsion from membership of The League;

93.2.10 order a withdrawal or loss of benefit otherwise available to members of The League e.g. basic award or ladder payment;

93.2.11 impose an embargo on registration of Players;

93.2.12 order any other sanction as the Disciplinary Commission may think fit;

.

[Harry_SFC]

[Football Special]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

They have themselves as the Home side on their site

Yes , im saying i expect the winner of Hull v Millwall was always going be designated as the home team for the final 

[do i not like fizzy pop]

Think I need to start drinking again because I've just been laughing to myself at the thought that this is all instigated by Borough, in an attempt to destabilise our preparation for the playoffs against them and they hoped to batter us out of sight first half, first leg at home.

But it turns out they couldn't score in a brothel. And now Gibbo has to go for a scorched earth policy. 

Where the scotch? 

[Football Special]

Just now, Harry_SFC said:

This is what I've been saying, Borough, Gibson and his media pals have been acting as the prosecution and judge pushing their grievance and punishment that *they* want imposed , orchestrating the circus to apply maximum pressure to the EFL 

[RedArmy]

1 minute ago, Football Special said:

This is what I've been saying, Borough, Gibson and his media pals have been acting as the prosecution and judge pushing their grievance and punishment that *they* want imposed , orchestrating the circus to apply maximum pressure to the EFL 

And on the face of it, it seems to be working. 

[trousers]

7 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Could be that winner of 3rd v 6th gets home team status, usually its team that finished 3rd but Hull have won that by beating Millwall 

Yeah, makes sense 👍🏻

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Football Special said:

This is what I've been saying, Borough, Gibson and his media pals have been acting as the prosecution and judge pushing their grievance and punishment that *they* want imposed , orchestrating the circus to apply maximum pressure to the EFL 

Yeah, Stefan Borson was stating this on Talksport recently. Reminding all that it is EFL v Saints effectively and we will certainly appeal if we get a decision that is not acceptable to us (ie, being kicked out), which is a whole can of horrible worms for the EFL.

In short, the offence took place and we are working with the process to ensure (hope) for a just sanction.

[Soton7]

 

I’ve always had a soft spot for Middlesbrough- back when they were bringing in stars like Juninho, Ravanelli, Emerson and actually playing some proper football. But, I’ve always pitied them too. Stuck in a dead‑end northern city with grim weather, no buzz, no prospects, silly accent and nothing going on.

But this whole spy gate circus has turned any sympathy I had. Steve Gibson, with his clown‑level dyed hair can absolutely do one. The bloke’s turned a nothing incident into some full‑blown thriller. He’s obviously well connected and has his media buddies on his side. They can get fucked as well. Acting like this was full blow MI5 covert operation when it was literally a young nipper with an iPhone checking out basic training info.

What we’ve pulled off in the last six months has been nothing short of outrageous. Mind‑blowing football, a complete transformation, and a level of attention the EFL should be thanking us for by bringing in so much excitement to this league.

Fine us £1m with a suspended 2 points deduction and let’s move on. Up the Saints.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Hull and Saints yet to release ticket details, could be tomorrow maybe

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Willo of Whiteley said:

Hull and Saints yet to release ticket details, could be tomorrow maybe

Hull have

[St Chalet]

29 minutes ago, IFHP said:

I think the verdict is we should be kicked out , BUT the logistics around that happening are too far complicated .

Boro should not go through as a result , and  that leaves the EFL with a problem . Who plays Hull ? SKY tv will want a game played as they’ve paid vast amounts of money for it . 
 

We are going to get a football sanction so if we don’t get kicked out then it will be points deduction. 
 

 

 

Enter Wrexham for the Hollywood ending?

[AlexLaw76]

On 13/05/2026 at 10:45, AlexLaw76 said:

Stefan Borson now chatting about it….

 

There is no situation in English football where it has come to ahead in a short space of time

Leeds were systematically doing it and got a £200k fine, which brought about the 72 hour rule

Direction of travel is a sporting sanction.

level of certainty from some about the sanctions is over the top

This not Boro v Southampton, it is the EFL v Southampton and is a disciplinary issue

if this is similar to Leeds, then it is a bigger issue as Wrexham finished 7th, how are they compensated, for example

Boro have a duty to cooperate and have provided their evidence. This person ran to the loos to get changed, Saints are not denying and accept it happened

This is not a training ground behind big fences, this is very open. If you want to watch Boro train, it is very simple to do. Hard for Boro to say what they are doing is all hush hush when anyone can watch them

 

 

 

 

On 13/05/2026 at 11:01, AlexLaw76 said:

Borson further adds….

 

there is a gap in the rules.

if it happened 73 hours before, is it the OK?

Saints are trying to play down the severity

sporting Sanctions likely be 6 points, as that seems to be the go to

if Boro are awarded 3-0 for the home game, Southampton will counter and state they would have approached the game last night differently

This could be expedited like the WBA situation, but it will likely go into next week at the earliest. Southampton, Boro and/or the EFL can appeal

Boro’s issue is that if the panel declare a sporting advantage was obtained by Saints, It would be disputed and Boro would have to show where this advantage was gained

The case here, this incident took place for no other reason but gain a sporting advantage 

no similar rule in the premier league, but would come under the “bad faith” rule, but the prem rarely use it and clubs make deals all the time out of the spotlight

 

Jordan adds….

Gibbo will outwardly want Saints booted out but that is not likely to happen, so Gibbo will push for something to advantage Boro (financially)

Believes Gibbo would sack the manager if their manager was responsible for the same thing

 

 

Just a reminder what Stefan Borson said about it, he is usually pretty clued up on such matters

 

[supertadic21]

Saints ticket info is back up: https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/sky-bet-championship-play-off-final-ticket-information?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=tic-playoff-final-2526&utm_term=ticket-info&utm_content=link

[sockeye]

Tickets out tomorrow

[Matthew Le God]

2 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Just a reminder what Stefan Borson said about it, he is usually pretty clued up on such matters

 

He is wrong on this...

"Southampton, Boro and/or the EFL can appeal"

Middlesbrough can not appeal. It is between Saints and the EFL.

 

 

[trousers]

2 hours ago, stfrancisofbenali said:

Yes. It doesn’t take one day. Boro presented their findings today. We present ours next and the independent committee adjudicates and concludes the hearing next week as per statement. 

 

11 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Middlesbrough not involved in the process...?

[Mboto Gorge]

9 minutes ago, Football Special said:

This is what I've been saying, Borough, Gibson and his media pals have been acting as the prosecution and judge pushing their grievance and punishment that *they* want imposed , orchestrating the circus to apply maximum pressure to the EFL 

Exactly that. The guys a typical megalomaniac throwing his weight around because he can, with bullying tactics and applying pressure as much ad he possibly can . 

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

He is wrong on this...

"Southampton, Boro and/or the EFL can appeal"

Middlesbrough can not appeal. It is between Saints and the EFL.

 

 

yeah, fair one. To be fair, that may have been poorly interpreted by me

[St Chalet]

14 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

This chap makes the point I was going to make far more eloquently. 

[Lighthouse]

I’m still expecting some sort of Scooby Doo-esq plot twist, where they catch the spy in a big fishing net, pull his mask off and it was Rudi Skacel the whole time.