The photograph of a Southampton FC intern, seemingly half hidden behind a tree recording a Middlesbrough training session with his mobile phone clearly visible, tells you one thing: this does not appear to be high-level espionage.
Still, the ramifications for Southampton and this season’s English Football League (EFL) playoffs could be seismic. Middlesbrough have called for Southampton to be removed from Saturday’s final over the cheating scandal and the club faces misconduct charges from the EFL. A decision about Southampton’s future is expected to be made by an independent disciplinary panel by Tuesday.
Southampton could be hit with a fine, a deduction of points or expulsion from the EFL playoffs, which come with a shot at returning to the Premier League. The prize money for winning is more than £200m, before factoring in the commercial benefits of playing in the Premier League, should they be promoted.
The analyst at the centre of “spygate” is believed to be William Salt, an intern working as part of Southampton manager Tonda Eckert’s backroom staff. A photograph obtained by the Daily Mail and The Athletic shows Salt allegedly recording Middlesbrough’s training session last Thursday, days before the second leg of their semi-final. The match went ahead last Tuesday and Southampton won 2-1. Eckert walked out of a press conference after the win when he was asked if he was “a cheat”.
The playoff final could be delayed to give the investigation more time. Southampton could also appeal any final decision. Middlesbrough could also be reinstated as part of the competition and, despite Tuesday’s defeat, continue to train as if they will play at Wembley on 23 May.
Photograph by Ed Sykes/Getty Images
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