Saints Expelled from Playoffs

[SNSUN]

2 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

What is this myth that our tunnel and dressing was room was quiet after the game? 
 

They do know we have a social media department and release the videos of the celebrations right? 

That's because it's horse plop.

[Patrick Bateman]

1 minute ago, Give it to Ron said:

Plus there is no appeal for Gibson 

I don't see the appeal of him either. 

[coalman]

4 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

What is this myth that our tunnel and dressing was room was quiet after the game? 
 

They do know we have a social media department and release the videos of the celebrations right? 

The Boro forum is a lot like the Daily Mail. You read enough of it and you start believing that's how the world is.

[Cabrone]

I'm wondering if the club do look at other clubs training sessions BUT they scrupulously stay within the 72 hour rule therefore no offence is committed. This would tally up with the ex analyst (Jason Taylor)  allegations. It's also something I'm fairly sure a lot of other clubs do.

However on that one day for whatever reason Will Salt turned up late and got spotted. Why? Who knows. Maybe he had a row with his g\f, had an urgent meeting, job interview - whatever.

The media are painting SFC as the worst villains ever to walk on a football pitch but ultimately this could come down to a 20 y.o young guy with a roving brief and an active social life screwing up his timings on one day and getting clumsily caught.

If this is what happened and the club make their case then it's a fine and maybe points. 

The media are as per usual jumping to massive conclusions. We don't know but neither do they.

[Give it to Ron]

2 minutes ago, Patrick Bateman said:

I don't see the appeal of him either. 

There was for Debbie 🙂

[James G]

I wonder if William Salt will leave a bad review on TripAdvisor for Rockcliffe Hall, despite it's excellent spa facilities and on site golf course.

[whelk]

31 minutes ago, Turkish said:

I never liked that obese spunk bubble in the first place but hearing him spouting off about how weve cheated and should give Boro half our income next year has just heighted my distain for the lump of fuck

He is obnoxious bloke - rude to waiters tells you everything about a man. And is an obese cunt as well

 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

13 minutes ago, whelk said:

He is obnoxious bloke - rude to waiters tells you everything about a man. And is an obese cunt as well

 

I've never found the guy funny and think hes a cunt.

Plus he dissed Captain Picard - Patrick Stewart whose a proper actor and thespian. 

Edited Friday at 14:21 by JohnnyShearer2.0

[whelk]

1 minute ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

I've never found the guy funny and think hes cunt.

Plus he dissed Captain Picard - Patrick Stewart whose proper actor and thespian. 

Hell hath no fury like a bloke who has had his football team slagged off

 

[Dman]

If the commision are meeting today, how long would we usually expect the hearing to take? 

Fairly heavy in terms out potential outcome here, so guessing it will be next week before anything comes out 

[ooh it's a corner]

It's about time we had a poll isn't it?

Expelled?

Fine & Suspended Point Deduction?

Fine only?

No charge & Gibson made to apologise on the Wembley turf at half time on Saturday?

 

mods, over to you.......

[Saint_clark]

30 minutes ago, coalman said:

The current story doing the rounds on the Boro forum is someone's mate works for a company that sponsors the EFL and the EFL has to let them know what's happening and this guy is privy to all the emails flying around. The EFL have told them if found guilty the only two options are Boro win the tie 3-0 or Saints forfeit the final. Either way we get kicked out. There's meant to be a voice recording of this transcript.

The Boro players were told this after the game and Hellberg knew before the game. The Saints players were also told this which is why our dressing room was silent after the game.

https://fmttmboro.com/index.php?threads/breaking-news.81160/post-2193812

So it's official we are getting kicked out and it was decided before the second leg. Guess it's time to pack up our bags for the summer holidays.

Aside from the video that shows our players dancing around singing Wembley again ole ole?

[coalman]

1 minute ago, Saint_clark said:

Aside from the video that shows our players dancing around singing Wembley again ole ole?

Please don't speak ill of the Boro forum. It's my new north star

[RedArmy]

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

[Pamplemousse]

This from a Hull fan:

There is no substance in this suggestion of a re-arranged Tuesday game at all, other than looking at the impact of the World Cup... the problem is that, if Southampton are eliminated, then their likely appeal is the going to be the key problem, and extremely unlikely that an appeal could be heard, and resolved and the other finalist decided before Tuesday 26 May.

The clear reality, in my eyes, and probably the better story to promote here is that there has to be almost zero chance that Southampton will be "eliminated"

What everyone seems to be missing here is that Middlesboro could have won the play off tie - the charge would still stand and Southampton would still be accordingly punished with fine/points deduction.

I.e. the sanctions which the EFL/Disciplinary Panel, wish to impose, cannot be predicated upon the outcome of football matches - think about what that would mean for any future spying situation... in the regular season... if a team caught spying, won that related match... is the fixture reversed in favour of the "innocent" team, after the event - and if so, by what score... which then potentially impacts goal difference (which as we Tigers know) can end up being crucial

Therefore, it seems so incredibly obvious to me that this Disciplinary Panel are not going to open up a monumental can of worms, by reversing the outcome of the Southampton/Middlesboro match, and are instead, sensibly, going to impose a fine/points deduction, which can then be used any future as a precedent, across the board, without having to interfere with what happens/happened on the football pitch, as well as impacting other teams...

[Midfield_General]

4 minutes ago, Dman said:

If the commision are meeting today, how long would we usually expect the hearing to take? 

Fairly heavy in terms out potential outcome here, so guessing it will be next week before anything comes out 

The EFL statement said it will be 'on or before' Tuesday. 

So assuming they will use all the time available to them, expect news on Tuesday. 

So we've got four more days of speculation, lies, people pretending to be ITK, and James Corden. 

[James G]

I'm just waiting to see what the Pope has to say about it all

I wonder if they'll release smoke to indicate when the panel have made their decision

[skintsaint]

Just now, RedArmy said:

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

There you have it - they want us chucked out 😅

[Pamplemousse]

Just now, RedArmy said:

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

That reads like another attempt to put undue pressure on those concerned. Which they wouldn't need to do if things were going their way... 

[imadirtyurchin]

Just out of interest:

 

In the very unlikely event that saints were expelled from the final and boro given a place.

 

what would happen to the tickets lawfully purchased by saints fans? Could it be a mandatory refund? Cos it would be amusing shithousery if boro got to play but none of their fans could get tickets and they were “supported” by saints fans….

surely any refund would be optional? 😉

[Doctoroncall]

1 hour ago, Challenger said:

So the same as Leeds then plus an inflationary uplift. Be very surprised if that's all we get.

Leeds broke one rule. Saints have allegedly broken two, the same one as Leeds and a more specific one around observing opponents training. It’s the latter which seems to have more weight to any punishment. 
 

Any circumstantial evidence will not be public, so I don’t see any point guessing what the punishment could possibly be. 

[coalman]

LOL

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

Middlesbrough FC notes the decision of the Disciplinary Commission not to permit the club to intervene in the proceedings brought by the EFL against Southampton FC.

The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact.

The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition. In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final.

We remain hopeful that the EFL, as regulator, will pursue such a sanction before the Disciplinary Commission in order to protect the integrity of the game, safeguard all member clubs, and deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.

[RedArmy]

Just now, Pamplemousse said:

That reads like another attempt to put undue pressure on those concerned. Which they wouldn't need to do if things were going their way... 

Yeah they’re throwing their gun because they’ve run out of bullets. 

[obelisk]

2 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

Don't they ever shut up. What a bunch of whinging cry-babies. Get a grip FFS!

[Saint NL]

2 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

That's a lot of words to say "boooo hooo it's so unfairrrrrr"

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

1 minute ago, coalman said:

LOL

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

Middlesbrough FC notes the decision of the Disciplinary Commission not to permit the club to intervene in the proceedings brought by the EFL against Southampton FC.

The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact.

The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition. In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final.

We remain hopeful that the EFL, as regulator, will pursue such a sanction before the Disciplinary Commission in order to protect the integrity of the game, safeguard all member clubs, and deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.

Cuckoo! 🤡

[coalman]

It's a tragedy that they weren't allowed to shoehorn themselves into the hearing in contravention of the regulations. Particularly given the vast amount of experience they have of acting as prosecution, judge and jury in this case already.

[James G]

1 minute ago, coalman said:

LOL

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

Middlesbrough FC notes the decision of the Disciplinary Commission not to permit the club to intervene in the proceedings brought by the EFL against Southampton FC.

The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact.

The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition. In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final.

We remain hopeful that the EFL, as regulator, will pursue such a sanction before the Disciplinary Commission in order to protect the integrity of the game, safeguard all member clubs, and deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.

Your Sincerely,

Desperate Dan

[Midfield_General]

7 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

Blimey, they're sailing close to the wind with that. 

It's hilarious that they are trying to suggest they should be allowed to 'sit in' and influence the process, which would of course go against all the rules they are so keen to make sure are scrupulously upheld at all times. 

They're leaking content of the enquiry, publicly now rather than anonymously through journalists. Which is more evidence for our own legal team to come at them with after this for attempting to influence the proceedings. 

Dickheads

Edited Friday at 14:28 by Midfield_General

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

1 minute ago, coalman said:

It's a tragedy that they weren't allowed to shoehorn themselves into the hearing in contravention of the regulations. Particularly given the vast amount of experience they have of acting as prosecution, judge and jury in this case already.

Would be funny if they sneaked someone in and they themselves were found guilty of spying.

[hypochondriac]

6 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

Oh dear. It isn't going their way. 

[Saint_lambden]

4 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

That reads like another attempt to put undue pressure on those concerned. Which they wouldn't need to do if things were going their way... 

Yep, reads like they're shooting their last shot

[OldNick]

4 minutes ago, obelisk said:

Don't they ever shut up. What a bunch of whinging cry-babies. Get a grip FFS!

I thought Southerners were supposed to be softies!!

[Jack]

“The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact.”

Well then Boro, that relevant factual evidence should’ve been handed to the EFL and independent committee prior to the hearing, you fucking cry babies. 

[obelisk]

8 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

I'd say they're guilty of breaching that good faith rule myself.

[coalman]

I'd be very careful of telling the panel what the only thing it can decide is if I were Boro. 

[OldNick]

7 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

There you have it - they want us chucked out 😅

Its funny that they want us to follow the rules, but dont want to follow the rules themselves 

[Pamplemousse]

That statement is laying the groundwork for them suing the EFL. Which they did before with Derby.

[RedArmy]

Get your travel and hotels booked lads. 
 

No matter how what we did is viewed in the eyes of the EFL, they won’t allow themselves to be dictated to by Steve fucking Gibson. 

[Plastic]

9 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

They fucking lost. What a bunch of twats. 

Imagine this reaction after every unpunished handball or foul. bellends

[coalman]

Just now, OldNick said:

Its funny that they want us to follow the rules, but dont want to follow the rules themselves 

They are only not following the rules because we forced them to by not following the rules. This is our fault for forcing them to try and avoid following the rules.

[sockeye]

Basicially thought they could bully us into incriminating ourselves and now are throwing their toys out of the pram

[OldNick]

I feel that once the highly sophisticated surveillance and recording device became an iphone their story fell apart. Even a lot of Boros fans felt the balloon deflating when they saw that image.

 

[Sheaf Saint]

1 minute ago, Saint_lambden said:

Yep, reads like they're shooting their last shot

Anybody fancy adding some new subtitles to that Downfall scene? 🤣

[coalman]

Just now, Plastic said:

They fucking lost. What a bunch of twats. 

Imagine this reaction after every unpunished handball or foul. bellends

I wouldn't celebrate just yet. All the panel has done is turned down a request that was never going to be accepted.

[coalman]

3 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

That statement is laying the groundwork for them suing the EFL. Which they did before with Derby.

I think also to try and sue us. If they sue the EFL when they have clearly followed their own process they are doing themselves no favours. This has always been a shakedown of Saints.

[Whitey Grandad]

5 minutes ago, Jack said:

“The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact.”

Well then Boro, that relevant factual evidence should’ve been handed to the EFL and independent committee prior to the hearing, you fucking cry babies. 

Evidence takes time to fabricate, don't you know. 

[Plastic]

3 minutes ago, coalman said:

I wouldn't celebrate just yet. All the panel has done is turned down a request that was never going to be accepted.

lost the game, was my point. Still twats. 

[coalman]

Just now, Plastic said:

lost the game, was my point. Still twats. 

100% agree with this.

[SNSUN]

9 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Oh dear. It isn't going their way.