Saints Expelled from Playoffs

[Osvaldorama]

Just now, CB Fry said:

Feels to me less of an appeal and more of an opportunity to make it difficult for tickets to go on sale for Boro and to stop the match being played on Saturday. We're just being pricks now.

Good, tbh. Should have made it harder for Boro in the first place instead of rolling over. 
 

But the more stuff that’s coming out, the more it feels like a waste of time. Why oh why did we admit to any of it so quickly. Idiots. 

[Football Special]

16 minutes ago, sockeye said:

Ruh roh

Genuinely this "whistleblower" bollocks, he used to work for Boro before us, he was spying on us, needs looking into 

[Bobsmith]

They better take it all the way as we’ve allowed people to walk all over us. If Dragan doesn’t sort this out, he and his bunch of muppets can go

Edited 1 hour ago by Bobsmith

[S-Clarke]

Just now, CB Fry said:

Feels to me less of an appeal and more of an opportunity to make it difficult for tickets to go on sale for Boro and to stop the match being played on Saturday. We're just being pricks now.

Yeah it's posturing at this point, no more than that. We're bang to rights now, more so than I ever believed we were. 

I don't remember the last time we were on the news at 10 on a weekday. What a time to be alive.

[Fabrice29]

Just now, Gloucester Saint said:

Leave it alone, he’s/she’s a troll. Always deflecting blame onto the fanbase when the club/board/owners comes under scrutiny so this was never going to be any different.

Don’t think I’ve blamed the fans on this anywhere 🤣 Quite happy to rip into the people who did this though, as I suggested a few days ago when I was scoffed at 

[die Mannyschaft]

23 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

The OS has still got our next match listed as being against Hull this Saturday. Not a single mention anywhere of today's events on the site or on SM.

Totally fucking unacceptable IMO.

The whole club is in on the scam. Exactly no word at all but happy to string the fans along. 

[miltonroad]

19 minutes ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Be leaque 1. We were diabolical until the spying no wonder we got 21 unbeaten.  

With respect that is a mental take. It’s training ffs, all the bullshit about shape, formations, set piece takers, penalty takers, bibs v non bibs probably isn’t done in the half hour it took the lad to get rumbled. And evidently in didn’t help in the other games in question. Try not to buy in to the (well orchestrated) Boro media frenzy. The deserving winner over those two games of football was us, plain and simple. Agree heads need to roll but going unbeaten for that long probably isn’t down to a lad with an iPhone. No one is happy with the situation but get some perspective on the achievement of the players on the pitch. 
 

[LGTL]

1 minute ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Interesting if we’re challenging the process, specifically the 14 days on appeal. Wasn’t there a top lawyer bid who questioned the part about full details of report being released later in summer. He said, how can you have a fair appeal if you can’t read the full findings & have time to digest them. 

Yeah, the one part I don’t agree with is why should our appeals process be expedited just because the EFL have an important game to play. We’re entitled to the 14 days and the game Saturday should be cancelled. 

[skintsaint]

Just now, Football Special said:

Genuinely this "whistleblower" bollocks, he used to work for Boro before us, he was spying on us, needs looking into 

Wasn't he sacked? Probably pissed off so hence he turned on us.

[sockeye]

Just now, die Mannyschaft said:

The whole club is in on the scam. Exactly no word at all but happy to string the fans along. 

SR have never given a fuck about the fans, they've always hidden during bad spells and come out sniffing their own farts in public whenever we're doing well.

[S-Clarke]

Just now, Bobsmith said:

They better take it all the way as we’ve allowed people to walk all over us. If Dragan doesn’t sort this out, he and bunch of muppets can go

He's not been able to sort anything else out, so I don't expect anything different here. The bloke is sadly a buffoon.

[saintant]

51 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Do we really believe Tonda, who we’re  told, lives and breathes football, was unaware of the Canadian birds at the olympics or of Beilsa and Leeds. Are we seriously to believe nobody at the club informed him, or mentioned it maybe illegal, when people were sent up to grounds. If that’s the case why did the spy try and run off. Surely if you’re doing something perfectly legal, you’d say “I’m from Southampton, watching your training” when asked what he was doing and who he was. 

You make a very valid point.

[bpsaint]

46 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

We're all over the BBC Ten O'Clock News like we're Jimmy Savile or something.

We’ve upset our fair share of kids tonight tbf.

[Sir Ralph]

3 minutes ago, Middlewordie said:

Tonda, Tonda, Tonda.. you silly boy.

EFL could have done this smarter by making us forfeit each game where we broke the rules with a 3-0 loss. Same outcome, no impact on playoff places or relegation, and no one could really challenge that as being an unfair outcome. Are EFL really saying that just for this rule, a team is excluded from promotion chances? That seems unfair enough to challenge, especially as it is an untested rule. Interested to see how far Saints want to take it...

Can’t see how the punishment stands up under scrutiny. It feels like a drinkard has been asked to give the penalty as they haven’t considered the consequences for future matters. Efl is going to get litigious moving forward 

[sfc4prem]

Just now, Bobsmith said:

The better take it all the way as we’ve allowed people to walk all over us. If Dragan doesn’t sort this out, he and bunch of muppets can go

Since Dragan's investment hit our club we've been lurching from crisis to embarrassment. He bought into the SR bollocks and is just as culpable. The idea of due diligence across the board and management of this club seems to not exist. Riles me up so much to see what has happened to this club in recent years. Long gone are the days of League Cup finals and European football.

[Convict Colony]

The best banter is we get back into the playoffs and get promoted on saturday.

 

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, LGTL said:

Yeah, the one part I don’t agree with is why should our appeals process be expedited just because the EFL have an important game to play. We’re entitled to the 14 days and the game Saturday should be cancelled. 

TBF a postponement at this point feels inevitable, Hull will argue their prep has been damaged too. and Boro won't have enough time to sort tickets.

[James]

Just now, S-Clarke said:

He's not been able to sort anything else out, so I don't expect anything different here. The bloke is sadly a buffoon.

Not sure about that. This is a guy that sued and won against the Serbian Government. Doesn’t know anything about football it would seem but knows how to handle himself otherwise. 

[Bobsmith]

I don’t care about the crime, I care about the incompetence of the leadership, the PR/media team and the legal team. If we’ve been punished this harshly on weak evidence and no sporting advantage it shows how rubbish our defence was 

[die Mannyschaft]

13 minutes ago, Bobsmith said:

This club are just full of incompetent morons from top to bottom. The legal and PR teams in particular. They should all be sacked if they don’t win the appeal 

They are all responsible. PR teams need to go, they just put all the stuff out fully knowing the club admitted to 3 charges and likely no final place. What were the legal team doing playing cards, Boro are on the board for goodness sake take thing into account. 

[Bobsmith]

2 minutes ago, James said:

Not sure about that. This is a guy that sued and won against the Serbian Government. Doesn’t know anything about football it would seem but knows how to handle himself otherwise. 

Then he needs to pull his finger out and do something as this has been an absolute shit show so far 

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, Fabrice29 said:

Don’t think I’ve blamed the fans on this anywhere 🤣 Quite happy to rip into the people who did this though, as I suggested a few days ago when I was scoffed at 

There’s something we agree on but things are sensitive with the fans so I’d focus on SR.

The sheer scale and depth of their operational, legal and regulatory bloopers emerging is staggering. And I’ve been a J Cloth coming into organisations to sort them out after they shat the bed. Parsons, Tonda, possibly Spors, HR and legal not getting Taylor on an NDA - the environment was totally out of control. 

I’ve seen some serious stuff in the outside world but the ineptitude at the club is astonishing even so. 

[Zorba]

6 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

We’ve upset our fair share of kids tonight tbf.

But unlike Jimmy.. we won’t be slipping in through the back door.

..

Edited 1 hour ago by Zorba

[James]

Just now, Bobsmith said:

I don’t care about the crime, I care about the incompetence of the leadership, the PR/media team and the legal team. If we’ve been punished this harshly on weak evidence and no sporting advantage it shows how rubbish our defence was 

I also care about the harshness of the sanction. You have elite clubs flouting the rules almost at will and getting nothing more than a slap on the wrist, we have been given one of the harshest punishments in English football, period. Football is fucked, I don’t care what happens from here re this season, that’s done now, I just hope Dragan and co. give the EFL hell from here on out. 

[bolo]

Still in shock

Still can't see how the punishment fits the crime

 

Still can't see why Boro should get a second chance....

[saints1988]

Highly doubt the game goes ahead Saturday to be honest.

This is a huge decision/punishment for the EFL to make.

The club surely has the right to use the full 14 days for appeal 

[James]

Just now, Bobsmith said:

Then he needs to pull his finger out and do something as this has been an absolute shit show so far 

I said that earlier this week and was shouted down. The silence from the club has to stop, we’ve allowed Boro to whip up utter hysteria, there’s no way that hasn’t influenced this supposedly independent panel. Time to fucking fight back. 

[sfc4prem]

Just now, James said:

I also care about the harshness of the sanction. You have elite clubs flouting the rules almost at will and getting nothing more than a slap on the wrist, we have been given one of the harshest punishments in English football, period. Football is fucked, I don’t care what happens from here re this season, that’s done now, I just hope Dragan and co. give the EFL hell from here on out. 

Yeah I'm feeling a bit crash and burn right now. Let's drag some cunts down with us.

[die Mannyschaft]

4 minutes ago, Bobsmith said:

They better take it all the way as we’ve allowed people to walk all over us. If Dragan doesn’t sort this out, he and his bunch of muppets can go

We have people running club that only profit is the motive. No football experience, or not enough to have avoided this.

[Give it to Ron]

Be interesting to see season tickets going on sale soon. 

[sockeye]

Just now, James said:

You have elite clubs flouting the rules almost at will and getting nothing more than a slap on the wrist,

It sucks but these elite clubs have elite legal teams and instead of getting our own we gave the commission a layup for the slam dunk

[Bobsmith]

1 minute ago, James said:

I also care about the harshness of the sanction. You have elite clubs flouting the rules almost at will and getting nothing more than a slap on the wrist, we have been given one of the harshest punishments in English football, period. Football is fucked, I don’t care what happens from here re this season, that’s done now, I just hope Dragan and co. give the EFL hell from here on out. 

100% we need to go to war with the EFL over this and make them regret punishing little old saints to appease their mates up north. Reeks of corruption 

[James]

Just now, sfc4prem said:

Yeah I'm feeling a bit crash and burn right now. Let's drag some cunts down with us.

100% - either get an injunction to stop the game whilst we get due process or sue the EFL for all they’ve got.

[SNSUN]

4 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

The best banter is we get back into the playoffs and get promoted on saturday.

 

If that happens I'll get a tattoo of Parsons kissing Will Salt on my bumcheek. I think I'm safe.

[Lord Duckhunter]

2 minutes ago, LGTL said:

Yeah, the one part I don’t agree with is why should our appeals process be expedited just because the EFL have an important game to play. We’re entitled to the 14 days and the game Saturday should be cancelled. 

I’m wondering whether our legal team agreed to a quick turnaround believing  we’d never be chucked out & being seen to help in the hastening of a decision would earn us a lighter sanction. Probably would have done, if the other stuff hadn’t come to light at the weekend. With hindsight, we obviously should have applied time pressure on the EFL, but sticking to the strict letter of the law. Taking the maximum time to answer the charge & insist on 14 days to appeal after the full reasoning was published. 

[James]

Just now, Bobsmith said:

100% we need to go to war with the EFL over this and make them regret punishing little old saints to appease their mates up north. Reeks of corruption 

No surprise that their big mate “Gibbo” gets what he wants. It’s clear the man is an utter prick. 

[die Mannyschaft]

7 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

He's not been able to sort anything else out, so I don't expect anything different here. The bloke is sadly a buffoon.

Lets hope when he goes he gives Tonda a lift too

[Midfield_General]

I'm starting the book on who's getting sacked, in what order, and when: 

I'll kick off —

Parsons will be first to get canned, at 5.30 on Thursday night

[LGTL]

Our lot are a disgrace, but we’ve been royally done over by a far more competent, experienced and savvy board. 

[SNSUN]

2 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

Be interesting to see season tickets going on sale soon. 

The Saints media team are going to have a hell of a job putting a positive spin on anything over the summer, but I'm sure they'll manage it.

Hope they cut season ticket prices as penance for the fans. But I won't hold my breath. 

[beatlesaint]

I think the EFL have really screwed up how they’ve handled this. 
Did they not think for a second that Saints wouldn’t appeal that decision straight away? 
What they should have done is made a statement saying Southampton have appealed the ruling which will be heard on Wednesday and not made any mention of being expelled from the final

That way they didn’t need to put in that line about that decision could in turn be reversed upon the result of the appeal.

So as things stand how can Middlesbrough possibly sell tickets until Thursday when the appeal outcome is known?

If they sell tickets tomorrow and the appeal wins those tickets are null and void. 
 

There should be no way they can hold this game on Saturday with different opposition facing Hull. The logistics of it are beyond ridiculous.

 

Southampton FC have been a disgrace here, don’t get me wrong. But the EFL aren’t smelling of roses either.

[die Mannyschaft]

3 minutes ago, saints1988 said:

Highly doubt the game goes ahead Saturday to be honest.

This is a huge decision/punishment for the EFL to make.

The club surely has the right to use the full 14 days for appeal 

Our legal dont have any football knowledge otherwise wouldn't be in this situation. We will end up getting another 2 points 

[skintsaint]

[SNSUN]

Just now, die Mannyschaft said:

Our legal dont have any football knowledge otherwise wouldn't be in this situation. We will end up getting another 2 points 

Boro employed a top football lawyer as soon as this happened. They played it perfectly. We appear to be somewhat inept and run by cretins.

[Chez]

8 minutes ago, saints1988 said:

The club surely has the right to use the full 14 days for appeal 

EFL could just say, "yeah sure, you go ahead and take 14 days to prepare matey, in the mean time, we'll get the play final done and dusted".

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Chez

[saintstowin]

My level of upset at the club is related to the level of punishment, it's hard not to connect the two. If we'd done what we did, got found guilty, but just points deducted, it would all feel different. I have no idea what that means, I'm pretty shocked. 

I'm not saying it's ok but we've definitely been utterly hammered due to the prize and the timing.

And I suppose that goes for everyone outside of Saints too. There's a lot of 'they deserve it look how bad it was'. But that's mainly because we've had the book thrown at us and it helps others feel like football is fighting back against cheating. Which it really isn't.

The horrible thing is that we've just got to take it. And what happens next feels so negative right now.

[saintant]

47 minutes ago, LegalEagle said:

On the basis that Tonda says he didn’t know the rules, it’s as sure as shit that this is not limited to Oxford, Ipswich and Boro. If he thought it was ok then we did this to every club we played against. Even Arsenal. Why wouldn’t we? It was ok to do.

I would hazard a guess Arsenal's training ground is like Fort Knox.

[East Kent Saint]

Unfortunately Saints were caught out and EFL needed to set a precedent ,  I'm  sad but will continue to hope for the best !

If Boro think they can start a law suit then all bets are off 😄

[Cuddles]

7 minutes ago, bolo said:

Still in shock

Still can't see how the punishment fits the crime

 

Still can't see why Boro should get a second chance....

That's because the sanctions are ridiculous.

[SNSUN]

Now if only Spurs could kindly get fucking relegated to take the heat off us a tad, that would be swell.