#Spygate

[Toussaint]

How could they possible schedule a game on Saturday 23rd following the panels meeting on 19th? It surely wouldn't be logistically possible for tickets to be sold, coaches to be booked, catering to be sorted, security / police and everthing else that needs to be put in place  in that short window?

[saintant]

11 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

It would only be new to us, though. They've been saying for a few days that he has an ex-employee willing to go on the record and so he has presumably shared that with the EFL for the hearing already. It's just being kept out of the public domain (presumably to protect whoever this whistleblower is)

Wonder how much he paid him?

[hypochondriac]

Let's say they ask for bank statements and phone records as suggested in some media. How on earth are they going to get all that together prior to Tuesday of next week? They've got no chance. 

[die Mannyschaft]

17 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

He does. They are claiming he has an ex-Saints employee with a written statement and proof of mandated spying at Saints that goes beyond the isolated incident at present

Don't understand estimate Boro and thier people with power. They want Saints to not get promoted and only way is to not have us in final. If we beat Hull a fine won't satisfy EFL or Boro. 

[kwsaint]

The only way I can see it is if they moved the play off final to the start of next season (after the World Cup) and before the PL started. But then you’d have teams entering the transfer window not knowing what league they would be in and subsequent income.

[hypochondriac]

2 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

How could they possible schedule a game on Saturday 23rd following the panels meeting on 19th? It surely wouldn't be logistically possible for tickets to be sold, coaches to be booked, catering to be sorted, security / police and everthing else that needs to be put in place  in that short window?

No they are saying that tickets will be on sale prior to that but that if there is a change we would get refunded and they'd have to postpone things. 

[hypochondriac]

Just now, kwsaint said:

The only way I can see it is if they moved the play off final to the start of next season (after the World Cup) and before the PL started. But then you’d have teams entering the transfer window not knowing what league they would be in and subsequent income.

Less than 0% chance that happens. 

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

1 minute ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Don't understand estimate Boro and thier people with power. They want Saints to not get promoted and only way is to not have us in final. If we beat Hull a fine won't satisfy EFL or Boro. 

it doesn't matter what middlesborough want. Completely irrelevant

[Toadhall Saint]

4 minutes ago, Mattio said:

 

Alex Crook on the radio.

I’m now waiting for Turkish to come along and remind us of mr crooks track record.

[Toussaint]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

No they are saying that tickets will be on sale prior to that but that if there is a change we would get refunded and they'd have to postpone things. 

I just can't see it, what about all of the deposits on coaches and all the other commitments required? The logistics are huge.

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Toussaint

[Willo of Whiteley]

5 minutes ago, Mattio said:

 

Alex Crook on the radio.

The same guy that said Bertrand and Ings new deals had been signed and a generally second to every real story?

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA

[James]

1 minute ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Don't understand estimate Boro and thier people with power. They want Saints to not get promoted and only way is to not have us in final. If we beat Hull a fine won't satisfy EFL or Boro. 

So? Dragan won legal case against his own Government. If Gibson can hire a high priced lawyer, so can he. 

[OldNick]

1 minute ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Don't understand estimate Boro and thier people with power. They want Saints to not get promoted and only way is to not have us in final. If we beat Hull a fine won't satisfy EFL or Boro. 

Im getting to thestge that i couldn't givea toss anymore.What will this uncertainty do to the players mindset?Lets string it out and let them in the final and see them get beat

[Willo of Whiteley]

WE’RE IN THE FINAL GUYS!

It’s just generic EFL legality talk they have to cover! 😀👍🏻

[pingpong]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

No they are saying that tickets will be on sale prior to that but that if there is a change we would get refunded and they'd have to postpone things. 

That's a spectacular way to read a statement that says precisely the opposite. The whole point of the statement is warning you that you may not get a refund and you're fucked so read the ts and C's.

[Mattio]

1 minute ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

The same guy that said Bertrand and Ings new deals had been signed and a generally second to every real story?

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA

But he was in a busy sounding room so it must be legit...

[James]

Maybe I am missing the point here, but why is the fact that only Hull have been told to prepare to play midweek a surprise? Surely the only circumstance where the final would be moved is where we’d been expelled. 

[hypochondriac]

Just now, Toussaint said:

I just can't see it, what about all of the deposits on coaches and all the other commitments required? 

I can't either but I would imagine that's the nuclear option and out of the hands of the efl if the independent panel boots us out and we appeal then they don't really have a choice because they won't be able to resolve things prior to next Saturday. 

[SaintsLoyal]

I am getting the feeling that any expulsion will see Hull awarded the win and thus promotion and there will not be a final.

[hypochondriac]

Just now, pingpong said:

That's a spectacular way to read a statement that says precisely the opposite. The whole point of the statement is warning you that you may not get a refund and you're fucked so read the ts and C's.

Fuck off no it doesn't. Not a chance are they selling you tickets to a playoff final that doesn't happen and then they keep the money. 

[Toadhall Saint]

7 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

We haven't been charged by the EFL in relation to other clubs, I would assume that would have to take place before the Independent Commission could even look at that, if Boro supposedly have this evidence. They're only looking at this one specific allegation. And if we did, we'd need additional time to respond, which of course would go way beyond the play off final.

If other teams have been spied on, why haven't they complained yet? Why have we not been charged by the EFL?

 

I think it would need the other clubs to go down the same route as Boro have ie reporting to the EFL. I’m pretty sure that the EFL would need that to happen else any club can report on behalf of another club. 

[Toussaint]

I hope we sue all the slanderous, libelous, treacherous malevolent and vexatious individuals and entities who have piled on with hearsay and untruths, to the point of homelessness. 

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

Fuck off no it doesn't. Not a chance are they selling you tickets to a playoff final that doesn't happen and then they keep the money. 

on top of that, they can refund us all the money we paid to watch the semi finals!

 

[James]

1 minute ago, Toussaint said:

I hope we sue all the slanderous, libelous, treacherous malevolent and vexatious individuals and entities who have piled on with hearsay and untruths, to the point of homelessness. 

At the very least we should be asking the newspapers that employ all the journalists who wrote sensationalised and incorrect pieces, clearly based on a briefing from Boro without a fact check, to write retractions. 

[Toussaint]

2 minutes ago, SaintsLoyal said:

I am getting the feeling that any expulsion will see Hull awarded the win and thus promotion and there will not be a final.

Too much lost revenue for that to be an option, they will find a way of capitolising on the situation, which to some degree they are doing already. No such thing as "bad" publicity.

[pingpong]

2 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Fuck off no it doesn't. Not a chance are they selling you tickets to a playoff final that doesn't happen and then they keep the money. 

Travel and accomodation...

[Dman]

4 minutes ago, SaintsLoyal said:

I am getting the feeling that any expulsion will see Hull awarded the win and thus promotion and there will not be a final.

what sort of legal battles would that open? Millwall would have a case as the 3rd best side this season. 

[Divergent]

The independent panel don’t have the power to boot us out do they ? Surely they present their findings to the EFL and depending on what the panel concludes it is then the decision of the EFL?

[Bazzyfryer]

Why should Middlesbrough or even Wrexham be involved in any rejigged final surely it must be Millwall as Hull opponents in the final?

[hypochondriac]

3 minutes ago, pingpong said:

Travel and accomodation...

Yes you might not for that but I won't be staying overnight and I imagine most saints fans will get the train or drive which can be done at the last minute if you're sensible. 

[Oh no Mick Mills]

Que sera sera

Whatever will be will be .

[Saint_clark]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

Whilst I agree it is against the EFL rules, and do think its all blown way out of proportion. You need to be incredibly naive to beleive the lone wolf theory. 

I think the truth is somewhere in between. From what we've read from people with insight into how analysts work, they assemble the data which is then presented to the manager/coaching team to use in preparation for the game. It isn't marked with "this was seen in training today" or "they did this in a game V Norwich". 

So the analyst department may be culpable as a whole but that doesn't necessarily mean the rest of the club were aware.

[Gerryv]

So many legal issues here will be amazed if this gets sorted quickly at all.

Was the spy still under Saints control when it happened. 
Was he told by Saints to do it.

Was it a rogue employee or ex employee/intern,

was he actually trying to get Saints into trouble.

Can the EFL actually prove anything?
The consequences for both sides are huge.

If they find against Saints we’ll probably lose our manager and numerous players with big financial consequences, so the EFL need to be pretty certain in their actions otherwise they’ll face massive lawsuit from Saints.

No easy answers anywhere and no doubt the lawyers and rubbing their hands with glee.

[Lard]

From that latest EFL statement I’m getting the feeling they are laying the groundwork for us to be kicked out and the final won’t take place when scheduled or if at all. 
And to prepare the fans for that outcome. 
making a point of the terms and conditions and  highlighting the specific fact to be mindful when making travel arrangements etc,just seems they are covering the bases for any likelihood of us not being there or no final at all. 
🤷🏻‍♂️

hope it’s just standard waffle from the EFL and we get to play on the 23rd. 

[Pamplemousse]

https://images.gc.eflservices.co.uk/f1a33090-1191-11f1-a071-51ac3b681d4e.pdf

This is an interesting read of the disciplinary process, that was Swindon getting booted out of the EFL Trophy.

[Midfield_General]

4 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

I hope we sue all the slanderous, libelous, treacherous malevolent and vexatious individuals and entities who have piled on with hearsay and untruths, to the point of homelessness. 

Gibson's negotiation technique is aggression and relentless bullying. One well-known quote up there was from when he was threatening to sue PD Ports (the Middlesbrough port) over a land dispute and said:

"I want your walls and I want the eyes out of your head; I want the fucking roof off your house. I want your kids out of private school. I want the shoes off your feet."

He gives it the man of the people shtick but underneath it he's a bully and a cunt, and I hope our legal team call his bluffs, hold him accountable for how he has tried to use the media to influence this process, and take him and his pointless club to the fucking cleaners. 

[James]

Just now, Lard said:

From that latest EFL statement I’m getting the feeling they are laying the groundwork for us to be kicked out and the final won’t take place when scheduled or if at all. 
And to prepare the fans for that outcome. 
making a point of the terms and conditions and  highlighting the specific fact to be mindful when making travel arrangements etc,just seems they are covering the bases for any likelihood of us not being there or no final at all. 
🤷🏻‍♂️

hope it’s just standard waffle from the EFL and we get to play on the 23rd. 

You can read it multiple ways. I don’t think they are laying the groundwork for anything but, if expulsion is one of the remedies available, then you have to flag to fans that it’s a possibility.

[sadoldgit]

9 minutes ago, SaintsLoyal said:

I am getting the feeling that any expulsion will see Hull awarded the win and thus promotion and there will not be a final.

Man up mate! There is no way that there will not be a final and there is no way the winner will not be promoted. It is a circus and a lot of money is involved. It will also be a gross overreaction to exclude us should we be found guilty. 

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, Pamplemousse said:

https://images.gc.eflservices.co.uk/f1a33090-1191-11f1-a071-51ac3b681d4e.pdf

This is an interesting read of the disciplinary process, that was Swindon getting booted out of the EFL Trophy.

can you summarize it? Cant be arsed to read all that

[SaintsLoyal]

I think we need to work on who at SFC was aware of this lad going to boros ground as they all will need sacking. 

 

Albert Jones, Ben Garner, Tonda Eckert,  Johannes Spors 

 

 

 

 

[BotleySaint]

2 minutes ago, Lard said:

From that latest EFL statement I’m getting the feeling they are laying the groundwork for us to be kicked out and the final won’t take place when scheduled or if at all. 
And to prepare the fans for that outcome. . 

Yes, I reckon so. Would be surprised now if we aren't kicked out.

[SaintsLoyal]

9 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

Too much lost revenue for that to be an option, they will find a way of capitolising on the situation, which to some degree they are doing already. No such thing as "bad" publicity.

There doesnt seem to be vailid alternative, they will have to take the financial hit and no doubt fine us heavy anyway.

[sadoldgit]

6 minutes ago, Bazzyfryer said:

Why should Middlesbrough or even Wrexham be involved in any rejigged final surely it must be Millwall as Hull opponents in the final?

Millwall lost. They don’t get a second bite of the cherry or it makes a joke of the competition. It would also be a joke to throw us out for what is not a major crime.

[sadoldgit]

2 minutes ago, SaintsLoyal said:

I think we need to work on who at SFC was aware of this lad going to boros ground as they all will need sacking. 

 

Albert Jones, Ben Garner, Tonda Eckert,  Johannes Spors 

 

 

 

 

Why not just wait and see what happens before suggesting who gets thrown under the bus?

[Pamplemousse]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

can you summarize it? Cant be arsed to read all that

This document is the written decision of an independent English Football League disciplinary commission regarding Swindon Town F.C. being punished in the 2025–26 EFL Trophy.

What happened

Swindon admitted two rule breaches during their Round of 16 match against Luton Town F.C. on 13 January 2026:

• They brought on Aaron Drinan as a substitute even though he was not named on the official teamsheet.
• They fielded Oliver Clarke despite him serving a suspension and therefore being ineligible to play.

Initially, Swindon disputed the second charge because they believed the suspension did not apply to the EFL Trophy, partly due to information shown on the FA’s online portal. However, after a separate FA ruling confirmed Clarke was ineligible, the club admitted both breaches.

Swindon’s argument

The club argued:

• The mistakes were administrative rather than deliberate.
• They acted in good faith regarding Clarke’s suspension.
• A financial fine would be a proportionate punishment.

EFL’s argument

The EFL argued:

• The integrity and fairness of the competition had been compromised.
• Swindon gained an unfair sporting advantage by using two players who should not have participated.
• Expulsion from the competition was the only suitable sanction.

Decision and punishment

The commission unanimously decided:

• Swindon would be expelled from the 2025–26 EFL Trophy.
• The club would receive a £40,000 fine, with £20,000 suspended unless they repeat a similar offence before the end of the 2026–27 season.

Why the commission took such a strong stance

The ruling repeatedly emphasises:

• Protecting public confidence in the fairness of the competition.
• The seriousness of fielding two ineligible players in a knockout match.
• The fact one of the players was club captain.
• That responsibility for eligibility and accurate teamsheets ultimately rests with the club, regardless of confusion or administrative error.

The commission also said that if there had only been one mistake, a fine alone might have been enough — but the combination of both breaches made expulsion proportionate.

 

 

 

 

[beatlesaint]

3 minutes ago, James said:

You can read it multiple ways. I don’t think they are laying the groundwork for anything but, if expulsion is one of the remedies available, then you have to flag to fans that it’s a possibility.

No they are just covering every possible base…..ironically to stop someone taking legal action against them probably!!

[bpsaint]

My take, part sensical and part in hope…

We jumped the gun announcing ticket details, the EFL didn’t like this because it gives the impression there will be no serious on field punishment and we’ll be playing in the final, which the EFL didn’t like as they have to appease the complainants.

They know we’ll be in the final, but have to make it seem that it’s still a possibility we’ll be booted out, but ultimately know we won’t. Therefore they release this statement today, allow both clubs to sell tickets as per normal, whilst making it appear that there’s still a possibility it might not go ahead - but 99% will.

Edited 6 hours ago by bpsaint

[Leighsterrr]

At the point of thinking fuck it and not bothering. Three weeks ago, 3 of us did 2 nights for £650 incl non refundable accommodation, train tickets, ferry fares and semi final tickets, that was with 2 weeks spare to book it

 

This time its gonna be higher either getting refundable everything or waiting til we're guaranteed to be there and booking closer to the time

 

I can't believe they'd make this much fuss over what we're led to believe happened...would they??

[Convict Colony]

4 minutes ago, Turkish said:

can you summarize it? Cant be arsed to read all that

Swindon Town was thrown out of the 2025/26 EFL Trophy and fined for fielding two players who shouldn't have played in a key cup match. The Commission prioritised the integrity of the competition over the club's mitigation arguments.

[die Mannyschaft]

19 minutes ago, ecuk268 said:

If Boro have evidence then it must be disclosed to SFC so that they can prepare a defence.

Don't forget football is corrupt loads of people on boards, connections, clubs FA, EFL Prem, VAR listen to and like, have connections.

To me this has been decided and arranged just before 1st leg or evening of 1st leg. Its no coincidence that the Boro team selection had players not able to keep playing during added time, the defending of the 2nd goal to me didn't have enough effort. A U12 team can defend a slow long cross much better.