Sports Republics response to “Spygate”

[benjii]

10 hours ago, beatlesaint said:

We could get old Woy Hodgson in on a short term deal 🤣

We should get him in as some sort of Football Director, if he's keen. No cap.

[saintant]

10 hours ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Not sure you can really compare the two to be fair. Eckert is the manager and leader of the team, if it turns out he was sanctioning the spying then I really don’t see how he can stay. Especially if it also is proved that he was systematically bullying people to be involved.

Agree with this. Diving to win a penalty in a play-off semi-final gains you far more than spying.

[Dman]

1 hour ago, Thripp87 said:

I see the West Ham board of directors have got their PR spot on. Told the fans exactly what the plan is and also add offering 30% deductions on season ticket renewals. 
This is a shit show from SFC.

What do you want them to say? The investigation is clearly still ongoing and there is a solid chance that we're not out of the water with the EFL yet either. The lawyer would have told us to say nothing. 

They're not rushing into making any decisions on the manager, which is the right thing to do. If we come out and back him, the FA ban him and then we need to sack him, we look like idiots. 

A lot of whining with no real idea of what you want them to say. 

 

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, Dman said:

What do you want them to say? The investigation is clearly still ongoing and there is a solid chance that we're not out of the water with the EFL yet either. The lawyer would have told us to say nothing. 

They're not rushing into making any decisions on the manager, which is the right thing to do. If we come out and back him, the FA ban him and then we need to sack him, we look like idiots. 

A lot of whining with no real idea of what you want them to say. 

 

Maybe a short statement such as this wouldn't do any harm?

"We understand the frustration and concern that our lack of communication is causing at the moment but our legal advice is to refrain from providing updates on proceedings at this time"

[rallyboy]

Any ban he serves should be backdated to the day they literally stopped him from managing us the other week.

Though it would be amusing if we chose now to chuck every legal obstacle at them and they were unable to prove significant wrongdoing. That would leave the EFL in a shitstorm without a coat.

But in reality, they rushed through the last one, now we just have to wait until they let us plan next season.

 

[Thripp87]

9 minutes ago, Dman said:

What do you want them to say? The investigation is clearly still ongoing and there is a solid chance that we're not out of the water with the EFL yet either. The lawyer would have told us to say nothing. 

They're not rushing into making any decisions on the manager, which is the right thing to do. If we come out and back him, the FA ban him and then we need to sack him, we look like idiots. 

A lot of whining with no real idea of what you want them to say. 

 

A little bit more than refunding official travel and a 10-14 day window for Wembley refunds for a start.

Some goodwill and pr to the fans, something along the lines of the aforementioned 30% reduction on season tickets. How about a refund of the semi final legs whilst they are at it. 
 

None of that has anything to do with the FA investigation. 

[Thripp87]

Just now, Thripp87 said:

A little bit more than refunding official travel and a 10-14 day window for Wembley refunds for a start.

Some goodwill and pr to the fans, something along the lines of the aforementioned 30% reduction on season tickets. How about a refund of the semi final legs whilst they are at it.  When you consider the additional revenue they got in match day from an extended fa cup run it is even more disappointing. 
 

None of that has anything to do with the FA investigation. 

 

[trousers]

6 minutes ago, rallyboy said:

Any ban he serves should be backdated to the day they literally stopped him from managing us the other week.

Though it would be amusing if we chose now to chuck every legal obstacle at them and they were unable to prove significant wrongdoing. That would leave the EFL in a shitstorm without a coat.

But in reality, they rushed through the last one, now we just have to wait until they let us plan next season.

 

Isn't it amazing how a football authority can get things done quickly when it suits them, and likewise drag their heels when they don't need to rush...

Edited 10 hours ago by trousers

[Dman]

1 minute ago, Thripp87 said:

A little bit more than refunding official travel and a 10-14 day window for Wembley refunds for a start.

Some goodwill and pr to the fans, something along the lines of the aforementioned 30% reduction on season tickets. How about a refund of the semi final legs whilst they are at it. 
 

None of that has anything to do with the FA investigation. 

Gotcha, so you want a freebie. 

 

[Thripp87]

7 minutes ago, Dman said:

Gotcha, so you want a freebie. 

 

Yes, I object to paying full price for a meaningless friendly against Middlesbrough because of our bellend decision making. 
Passive fans are the reason we get the piss taken out of us with lack of communication etc. 

Do you not think the PR needs to be slightly improved then? 1 whingy statement sounding like a spoilt prat they did this and got that punishment. Fucking pathetic.

Edited 10 hours ago by Thripp87

[gio1saints]

9 hours ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Wasn't that what formed the basis of the EFL allegations? That staff felt bullied and pressured into spying?

I really am astonished that this allegation came out as a main feature of a three panel jury sitting for a few hours. Bullied is an emotive word in employment disciplinary cases. It’s Oft-used and its mere mention casts a stain - true or false. That’s why it’s used a lot of the time.
 

Our sympathies are always with the victims.
 

“ Victim blaming “ in this instance basically means if someone contradicts or casts aspersions as to the veracity or the motive behind the bullying accusation they are a nasty person and should be ashamed of themselves and stfu. 
 

In this case it’s suggested Tonda bullied the intern. The panel cannot hear an allegation of bullying ( especially in such an hurriedly cobbled together meeting with massive time pressure to “ get a result” ) -  and simply dismiss it. It has to be noted in the conclusions.  And it’s such a delicious and extremely useful word to help justify the punishment. 
 

All the intern had to say was he felt pressured to spy. This is magically converted into bullying which in turn mobilises everyone’s support for the victim - and for punishment. I’d love to hear what Saints personnel manager has to say about their meeting with the intern who had raised a grievance regarding this ( and presumably other occasions). Because if you have a problem with your line manager that’s what you do . You speak with HR. Not the “independent” tribunal after the event when you been caught. 

This matter and its handling by EFL has more holes in it than my old football socks. 
 

I think a compromise agreement will happen in which agree we don’t sue the EFL and destroy the fuck out of them in return for be nice to Tonda and a suspended or little ban. If he’s banned for 12 mths I think Saints might go nuclear. 

 

 

[trousers]

2 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

I think a compromise agreement will happen in which agree we don’t sue the EFL and destroy the fuck out of them in return for be nice to Tonda and a suspended or little ban. If he’s banned for 12 mths I think Saints might go nuclear. 

Don't think such a compromise would work is this scenario as the EFL and the FA are separate organisations... 

[Greenridge]

14 minutes ago, Thripp87 said:

A little bit more than refunding official travel and a 10-14 day window for Wembley refunds for a start.

Some goodwill and pr to the fans, something along the lines of the aforementioned 30% reduction on season tickets. How about a refund of the semi final legs whilst they are at it. 
 

None of that has anything to do with the FA investigation. 

Yep, bankrupt the Club. That sounds like a cracking idea. Genius. 

[BH_Saint]

19 minutes ago, Thripp87 said:

A little bit more than refunding official travel and a 10-14 day window for Wembley refunds for a start.

Some goodwill and pr to the fans, something along the lines of the aforementioned 30% reduction on season tickets. How about a refund of the semi final legs whilst they are at it. 
 

None of that has anything to do with the FA investigation. 

I'm a supporter of Southampton FC. I don't want my money back.

[Thripp87]

8 minutes ago, Greenridge said:

Yep, bankrupt the Club. That sounds like a cracking idea. Genius. 

Bankrupt the club for a one off game? That wasn’t on the fixture schedule. What are you talking about? 

[Thripp87]

4 minutes ago, BH_Saint said:

I'm a supporter of Southampton FC. I don't want my money back.

I’d suggest as supporters it’s probably a good idea to do some positive PR pretty quickly. And that includes sacking the cheat. Sponsors will not want to be associated with cheats. Which will do a lot more financial damage than a gesture of goodwill to fans.

[Toussaint]

5 minutes ago, BH_Saint said:

I'm a supporter of Southampton FC. I don't want my money back.

So am I. But I do want my money back, I’ll gladly have yours if you don’t want it. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

It isn’t difficult to get fans onside.

Reduction in ticket prices will get bums on seats. They’ll then spend their money on shit in the concourses and club shop.

Money made back comfortably.

All that said, it’s already been proven that fans at the higher level are totally irrelevant to a clubs survival. So why charge stupid prices in the first place?

[Toussaint]

20 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

I really am astonished that this allegation came out as a main feature of a three panel jury sitting for a few hours. Bullied is an emotive word in employment disciplinary cases. It’s Oft-used and its mere mention casts a stain - true or false. That’s why it’s used a lot of the time.
 

Our sympathies are always with the victims.
 

“ Victim blaming “ in this instance basically means if someone contradicts or casts aspersions as to the veracity or the motive behind the bullying accusation they are a nasty person and should be ashamed of themselves and stfu. 
 

In this case it’s suggested Tonda bullied the intern. The panel cannot hear an allegation of bullying ( especially in such an hurriedly cobbled together meeting with massive time pressure to “ get a result” ) -  and simply dismiss it. It has to be noted in the conclusions.  And it’s such a delicious and extremely useful word to help justify the punishment. 
 

All the intern had to say was he felt pressured to spy. This is magically converted into bullying which in turn mobilises everyone’s support for the victim - and for punishment. I’d love to hear what Saints personnel manager has to say about their meeting with the intern who had raised a grievance regarding this ( and presumably other occasions). Because if you have a problem with your line manager that’s what you do . You speak with HR. Not the “independent” tribunal after the event when you been caught. 

This matter and its handling by EFL has more holes in it than my old football socks. 
 

I think a compromise agreement will happen in which agree we don’t sue the EFL and destroy the fuck out of them in return for be nice to Tonda and a suspended or little ban. If he’s banned for 12 mths I think Saints might go nuclear. 

 

 

Well said, in my opinion there is far too much weight given to this aspect. Salt was on the verge of ruin before his career even got going, I don’t know if he was or wasn’t bullied, I suspect he was eager to please, until it turned extremely bad. Bullying is an easy get out and over used. How do you actually get anyone to do anything without applying some pressure along the way?

[trousers]

12 minutes ago, Greenridge said:

Yep, bankrupt the Club. That sounds like a cracking idea. Genius. 

Given the EFL should have stopped the semi-final matches going ahead in the first place (pending investigation and hearings), perhaps there's a case for the club being able to counter-claim any financial loss (due to refunds)  from the EFL...? 

#mentalgymnastics

[Greenridge]

3 minutes ago, Thripp87 said:

Bankrupt the club for a one off game? That wasn’t on the fixture schedule. What are you talking about? 

You want a 30% discount off next years season ticket, yes? You do realise the state of the finances at the Club I take it? Parachute payments falling away, EFL TV rights vs Premier, question marks over sponsorship options for the coming season, fines for Spygate etc etc, and you want to reduce their main income stream by 30%? You do the math as they say. 

[Patches O Houlihan]

On 26/05/2026 at 10:40, saintant said:

Just read a very interesting article referenced by The Ugly Inside. It can be found on page 3 of the topic How About This!!!!!! It was written by Sir Nicholas Mostyn KC and, whilst he is a Saints fan, he undoubtedly knows more about legal matters than anyone else on this forum.  Suffice to say he is far from impressed with the handling/findings of the EFL and Commission who handed down the verdict and punishment nor is he satisfied with the handing and verdict of the appeal.

 

On 26/05/2026 at 10:45, benjii said:

https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2026/05/26/op-ed-sir-nicholas-mostyn-kc-soutampton-fc-admiral-byng-is-shot-again/

 

Here it is.

Op-ed addendum: Demonising Saints and the appearance of bias

28th May 2026
Another interesting post from Saints fan Sir Nicholas Mostyn

https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2026/05/28/op-ed-addendum-demonising-saints-and-the-appearance-of-bias/

[trousers]

13 minutes ago, Greenridge said:

You want a 30% discount off next years season ticket, yes? You do realise the state of the finances at the Club I take it? Parachute payments falling away, EFL TV rights vs Premier, question marks over sponsorship options for the coming season, fines for Spygate etc etc, and you want to reduce their main income stream by 30%? You do the math as they say. 

I guess it depends whether or not there's a significant number of people who'll refuse to renew if prices aren't discounted.... What's worse for club finances? Selling 20,000 season tickets with a 'n'% discount or selling 10,000 (say) without a discount...? 

Edited 9 hours ago by trousers

[BotleySaint]

Hope the FA hurry up. Have they even said when they expect to complete their investigation?

[Dman]

10 minutes ago, Thripp87 said:

I’d suggest as supporters it’s probably a good idea to do some positive PR pretty quickly. And that includes sacking the cheat. Sponsors will not want to be associated with cheats. Which will do a lot more financial damage than a gesture of goodwill to fans.

Who needs enemies wth fans like you. 

I hope you stay away next season, regardless of the outcome. 

[Thripp87]

3 minutes ago, Greenridge said:

You want a 30% discount off next years season ticket, yes? You do realise the state of the finances at the Club I take it? Parachute payments falling away, EFL TV rights vs Premier, question marks over sponsorship options for the coming season, fines for Spygate etc etc, and you want to reduce their main income stream by 30%? You do the math as they say. 

I don’t or never wanted a 30% reduction. I was just comparing West Ham’s PR on the first day of relegation to our deafening silence. The reference to the 30% was made purely because they are offering that. 
It is a fair comparison from a PR perspective to a fan base that are currently as disillusioned with their hierarchy as we are.

I do expect a full refund on both legs of the semi final, which should make no difference as those fixtures were additional match day revenue.

[BH_Saint]

10 minutes ago, Thripp87 said:

I do expect a full refund on both legs of the semi final, which should make no difference as those fixtures were additional match day revenue.

The fee for the tickets isn't pure profit. The matches went ahead. So if tickets are refunded, Saints will lose out on all the outgoing costs for the 2 mathces.

Edited 9 hours ago by BH_Saint

[saintant]

14 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

 

Op-ed addendum: Demonising Saints and the appearance of bias

28th May 2026
Another interesting post from Saints fan Sir Nicholas Mostyn

https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2026/05/28/op-ed-addendum-demonising-saints-and-the-appearance-of-bias/

Yes he's now added his thoughts on the ex Boro player being part of the 3 person panel.

[Secret Site Agent]

Here's anther take on the situation, from a High Court Judge:

 

https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2026/05/26/op-ed-sir-nicholas-mostyn-kc-soutampton-fc-admiral-byng-is-shot-again/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSE6CBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe724WGsjmpeHhgrbLA_KbDZGBQEqMPc6hOqVSEcS4fZa5TlZQ0MnjkEc2VFo_aem_QLv8pPGIJcKwrMXhgzFB8w

By the way, the french sentence from Candide is: In this country, it is good to kill an admiral from time to time to encourage the others.

 

Sounds like he believes we are hard done by with the penalty.  Not sure if we are looking to drag this out any further.

[EssEffCee]

7 minutes ago, BH_Saint said:

The fee for the tickets isn't pure profit. The matches went ahead. So if tickets are refunded, Saints will lose out on all the outgoing costs for the 2 mathces.

Technically the first leg was paid to Boro too.

Do away teams get any percentage of gate money in play off games?

Either way, people paid for two football matches and attended them. No chance any sort of refund is coming for those.

Edited 9 hours ago by EssEffCee

[aintforever]

6 minutes ago, saintant said:

Yes he's now added his thoughts on the ex Boro player being part of the 3 person panel.

So you have the Boro chairman on the EFL board, an ex Boro player on the 3 person panel plus one of the others: 

"It has also been raised that the law firm of another panellist, Lydia Banerjee, Littleton Chambers, was in 2018 contracted by Middlesbrough to represent them in cases relating to Garry Monk's dismissal and a contractual claim."

Edited 9 hours ago by aintforever

[ItchenRob]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

What do you want them to say? The investigation is clearly still ongoing and there is a solid chance that we're not out of the water with the EFL yet either. The lawyer would have told us to say nothing. 

They're not rushing into making any decisions on the manager, which is the right thing to do. If we come out and back him, the FA ban him and then we need to sack him, we look like idiots. 

A lot of whining with no real idea of what you want them to say. 

 

This, 100%, from a retired in-house lawyer!

[LordHester]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

Isn't it amazing how a football authority can get things done quickly when it suits them, and likewise drag their heels when they don't need to rush...

*Cough* Man City *Cough*

[obelisk]

https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2026/05/28/spygate-a-former-boro-player-on-the-independent-panel-and-a-culture-of-data-mining/

🫢

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, Toussaint said:

So am I. But I do want my money back, I’ll gladly have yours if you don’t want it. 

Would you still want a refund if we had lost?

[DrSuess1979]

The whole thing stinks

It started with trial by media with victim mentality thrown in for good measure 

The “independent” panel of 3 of which 2 had Boro connections.

no justice system would allow that to continue 

We’ve been completely shafted from ever angle.

 

[Cuddles]

5 minutes ago, DrSuess1979 said:

The whole thing stinks

It started with trial by media with victim mentality thrown in for good measure 

The “independent” panel of 3 of which 2 had Boro connections.

no justice system would allow that to continue 

We’ve been completely shafted from ever angle.

 

This is why,  IMO and FA investigation outcome and player opinion pending, we should retain Tonda and really go for it next season. Screw them!

[sfc4prem]

38 minutes ago, obelisk said:

https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2026/05/28/spygate-a-former-boro-player-on-the-independent-panel-and-a-culture-of-data-mining/

🫢

I can't see a situation where the club don't pursue some form of litigation against the EFL.

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, sfc4prem said:

I can't see a situation where the club don't pursue some form of litigation against the EFL.

I bet we do nothing of the sort.

[sadoldgit]

1 hour ago, Thripp87 said:

I’d suggest as supporters it’s probably a good idea to do some positive PR pretty quickly. And that includes sacking the cheat. Sponsors will not want to be associated with cheats. Which will do a lot more financial damage than a gesture of goodwill to fans.

Remind me again, do Leeds, Leicester,Hull, Manchester City and Chelsea currently have sponsors?

[Saint86]

2 hours ago, gio1saints said:

I really am astonished that this allegation came out as a main feature of a three panel jury sitting for a few hours. Bullied is an emotive word in employment disciplinary cases. It’s Oft-used and its mere mention casts a stain - true or false. That’s why it’s used a lot of the time.
 

Our sympathies are always with the victims.
 

“ Victim blaming “ in this instance basically means if someone contradicts or casts aspersions as to the veracity or the motive behind the bullying accusation they are a nasty person and should be ashamed of themselves and stfu. 
 

In this case it’s suggested Tonda bullied the intern. The panel cannot hear an allegation of bullying ( especially in such an hurriedly cobbled together meeting with massive time pressure to “ get a result” ) -  and simply dismiss it. It has to be noted in the conclusions.  And it’s such a delicious and extremely useful word to help justify the punishment. 
 

All the intern had to say was he felt pressured to spy. This is magically converted into bullying which in turn mobilises everyone’s support for the victim - and for punishment. I’d love to hear what Saints personnel manager has to say about their meeting with the intern who had raised a grievance regarding this ( and presumably other occasions). Because if you have a problem with your line manager that’s what you do . You speak with HR. Not the “independent” tribunal after the event when you been caught. 

This matter and its handling by EFL has more holes in it than my old football socks. 
 

I think a compromise agreement will happen in which agree we don’t sue the EFL and destroy the fuck out of them in return for be nice to Tonda and a suspended or little ban. If he’s banned for 12 mths I think Saints might go nuclear. 

 

 

Agree with this bar the last part. Saints were completely stitched up throughout the process and ultimately given a totally disproportionate punishment. No small part of that is down to Parsons handling fumbling of the whole thing (based on the reports at least), and if true, he is significantly responsible for the weakened position we are now in.

However on your last point - in the grand scheme of things, any compensation saints may or may not win via future legal avenues is completely dwarfed by the significance of whether or not the FA allow us to keep our manager (a manager that SR may well sack anyway). The two bodies (and any sanctions) are entirely separate. Saying that, blood is in the water and the FA know we are an easy mark for further punishment (again thanks to Parsons / SRs management of this whole thing) - i therefore fully expect them to take the maximum amount of time to reach a decision on Eckert, and then Ban him... Ultimately maximising the potential for yet more harm to the football club. I suspect there are many in the halls of power who live to enforce draconian punishments on clubs, and who wouldn't be happy until they've forced football clubs to their knees and been through administration and relegated etc.

Edited 7 hours ago by Saint86

[Saint86]

41 minutes ago, sfc4prem said:

I can't see a situation where the club don't pursue some form of litigation against the EFL.

Sadly, i think nearly all legal avenues we could pursue are holed below the water line thanks to the way we've handled the independent hearing. I just can't see us winning case with the EFL for £80M-100M, which is what we would reasonably be owed from a loss of chance perspective alone.

Edited 7 hours ago by Saint86

[saintant]

We still have 5 days remaining of the 14 granted to lodge an appeal. Just saying 🙂

[S-Clarke]

So they are basically waiting for someone else to make the decisions for them, as expected.

I guess in a way that's good news, as they may be realising that their decision making is shit.

But still, where's the accountability and taking responsibility? I won't ever get over our response to this. We were on the brink of the PL, had it taken away from us due to club individual stupidity, and they haven't set out anything to the fans about how they're going to rebuild the trust. Before we know it, Season Tickets will be announced before they've even spoken to the fans about this mess.

They are hideous owners.

[davefizzy14]

4 minutes ago, saintant said:

We still have 5 days remaining of the 14 granted to lodge an appeal. Just saying 🙂

Hopefully we do lodge an appeal.

[Willo of Whiteley]

22 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

So they are basically waiting for someone else to make the decisions for them, as expected.

I guess in a way that's good news, as they may be realising that their decision making is shit.

But still, where's the accountability and taking responsibility? I won't ever get over our response to this. We were on the brink of the PL, had it taken away from us due to club individual stupidity, and they haven't set out anything to the fans about how they're going to rebuild the trust. Before we know it, Season Tickets will be announced before they've even spoken to the fans about this mess.

They are hideous owners.

But haven’t you heard?

We are benefits of a multi-club model set up! We should be over the moon and forever grateful!

[Willo of Whiteley]

25 minutes ago, saintant said:

We still have 5 days remaining of the 14 granted to lodge an appeal. Just saying 🙂

And what will come of that? Absolutely nothing.

What are we actually appealing now?

The season is over so the only thing it can be is the points deduction, which is just prolonging the inevitable, the club need to just move on.

[Saint Fan CaM]

3 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

And what will come of that? Absolutely nothing.

What are we actually appealing now?

The season is over so the only thing it can be is the points deduction, which is just prolonging the inevitable, the club need to just move on.

Try reading the articles from Sir Mostyn carefully. He sets out a clear and unambiguous case that SR/Saints could take to the High Court should they wish. The FA is as likely to be investigating Boro with their connections to the EFL Board (was it the resident Boro Chairman who appointed their two ‘friends’ on the panel?).

Not only that, but there is supposed proof that Boro have in fact broken EFL rules themselves and gained unfair competitive advantage systematically and repeatedly in conjunction with data mining and IT alongside Teeside University.

It would appear that Saints may well have a very sound reason to play their cards close to their chest in terms of ‘what next’, including potential recompense for the unjust penalty and a release of any further communication to supporters (which lets face it would result in a media storm which would be undesired). It was suggested here just after the announcement of the penalty that the EFL may well have lowered themselves into a very hot cauldron of legal soup and so it transpires. Someone also eluded to Dragan’s lack of willingness to roll over and take a beating - let’s hope he’s a very angry chap and has some well read, excellent legal representation.

Some of us on here have said from the beginning we were treated appallingly by the EFL - the bias was almost blatant. I hope our club has the backbone to challenge the whole sorry mess and ensure Eckhert is retained as our Manager. A ban would be another clear case of further extreme bias in my view.

[Saint Fan CaM]

7 hours ago, trousers said:

Don't think such a compromise would work is this scenario as the EFL and the FA are separate organisations... 

Not exactly accurate…that last bullet point (“veto power”) jumps out, particularly if you’re of a mind that the EFL kangaroo court was, errr, let’s say established inappropriately and therefore biased.

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Saint Fan CaM
Additional note

[Willo of Whiteley]

2 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Try reading the articles from Sir Mostyn carefully. He sets out a clear and unambiguous case that SR/Saints could take to the High Court should they wish. The FA is as likely to be investigating Boro with their connections to the EFL Board (was it the resident Boro Chairman who appointed their two ‘friends’ on the panel?).

Not only that, but there is supposed proof that Boro have in fact broken EFL rules themselves and gained unfair competitive advantage systematically and repeatedly in conjunction with data mining and IT alongside Teeside University.

It would appear that Saints may well have a very sound reason to play their cards close to their chest in terms of ‘what next’, including potential recompense for the unjust penalty and a release of any further communication to supporters (which lets face it would result in a media storm which would be undesired). It was suggested here just after the announcement of the penalty that the EFL may well have lowered themselves into a very hot cauldron of legal soup and so it transpires. Someone also eluded to Dragan’s lack of willingness to roll over and take a beating - let’s hope he’s a very angry chap and has some well read, excellent legal representation.

Some of us on here have said from the beginning we were treated appallingly by the EFL - the bias was almost blatant. I hope our club has the backbone to challenge the whole sorry mess and ensure Eckhert is retained as our Manager. A ban would be another clear case of further extreme bias in my view.

Fair enough, wasn’t aware of a lot of the above.

I am concerned about the “retaining of Tonda Eckhert as coach”.

What he still did was wrong, and how he’s treated some people at the club - the analysts involved is quite simply not on.
Listening to Simon Peach (PA) on Saints Social (BBC) he says there still quite a lot of pretty damning stories to come when the full reports are released later in the summer.