Spygate (part 2)

[Der Kaiser]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

Absolutely. I'm not entirely sure I have a big issue with what Southampton did anyway? I assumed all clubs would try that and it's up to the clubs training staff to ensure some of it is in private etc.

I tend to agree, not sure I'd care to be honest if someone did it to us.

[Der Kaiser]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

Fine I'd have thought.

Pretty sure I saw the punishment for spying now includes some for of 'sporting merit' and not just financial. I suspect it'll be a suspended points deduction for whenever their next season in the Championship is.

Maybe the EFL boot them out completely and invite the Premier League to send the third bottom team to the playoff final for a relegation/promotion game instead. Think I'd quite like that.

[Trigger]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

Absolutely. I'm not entirely sure I have a big issue with what Southampton did anyway? I assumed all clubs would try that and it's up to the clubs training staff to ensure some of it is in private etc.

Exactly, the facility looked like it had open access and with a golf club further down. Yes it may be private land but people have eyes and will look.

That reconstruction is funny, Middlesbrough staff "ran after the man attempting to apprehend him". I hope had they caught up with him they wouldn't have attempted to put hands on him ffs

[JamesWales]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

Exactly, the facility looked like it had open access and with a golf club further down. Yes it may be private land but people have eyes and will look.

That reconstruction is funny, Middlesbrough staff "ran after the man attempting to apprehend him". I hope had they caught up with him they wouldn't have attempted to put hands on him ffs

I can see how hacking into their computers to seek out data or team sheets or something is against the rules, but leaning against a tree and watching them seems fine by me. They should be more careful.

[Hilts]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

I can see how hacking into their computers to seek out data or team sheets or something is against the rules, but leaning against a tree and watching them seems fine by me. They should be more careful.

Its not fine though is it?

After the Leeds incidents its against the rules.

They need to be kicked out of the play offs. If the punishment is deemed that it should have been a points deduction and its suspended until they return to the EFL then expect compensation claims from Middlesbrough , Wrexham who finished 7th and possibly anyone else affected by their spying.

Southampton if of course this is true have cheated. To send a spy they must feel they can benefit. Kick them out.

[dandywarhol]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

Southampton are turning into a grubby little club
Spygate and now this
Harwood-Bellis is accused of making 'discriminatory comments' about Ayling's stammer during a confrontation at St Mary's in the first half

[Trigger]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

Southampton are turning into a grubby little club
Spygate and now this
Harwood-Bellis is accused of making 'discriminatory comments' about Ayling's stammer during a confrontation at St Mary's in the first half

It's not nice of him but we are becoming a nation of sensitive souls.

Some geezer is there photographing our training session! Chase him off and then maybe put up some ****ing fencing or get some security.

Someone insults your stammer, leave your foot in on the twat.

[Canton Kev]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

Pretty sure I saw the punishment for spying now includes some for of 'sporting merit' and not just financial. I suspect it'll be a suspended points deduction for whenever their next season in the Championship is.

Maybe the EFL boot them out completely and invite the Premier League to send the third bottom team to the playoff final for a relegation/promotion game instead. Think I'd quite like that.

Punish Hull and reward Spurs/West Ham for something completely out of their control?

Such a ridiculous idea, the EFL are probably considering it.

[Der Kaiser]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

Punish Hull and reward Spurs/West Ham for something completely out of their control?

Such a ridiculous idea, the EFL are probably considering it.

Don't really care about teams being unfairly punished or rewarded, in my opinion from a neutral perspective that would be an extremely entertaining and dramatic scenario as a one off.

Southampton if guilty deserve punishing, not that I think i'd really care if someone did it to us, but rules are rules. On the other side of the coin, I absolutely do not think Boro should be parachuted into the final as they did in fact, lose, and there's no allegation of spying prior to the second leg, and the first leg they were by a mile the better team.

Therefore, I think the EFL are in a bit of an ugly situation here - you either have a team guilty (if found so) in the final, or a team who lost in the final. Maybe they'll have Boro and Millwall play a decider or something like that.

[Hilts]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

Boro have issued a statement asking for Southampton to be kicked out of the play offs.

[The Bloop]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

If Southampton can show that the person spying was there of his own accord, and wasn't there in any official capacity, they might have a defence. Otherwise, it doesn't look good for them.

[PontBlue]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

I think it is highly unlikely a supposedly junior member of staff would drive all the way to Middlesbrough to spy on the opposition. And if they are junior I hope Southampton don't throw them under the bus in an attempt to avoid a sporting sanction.

I'm hoping Southampton are thrown out of the playoffs as the financial penalties are rarely a deterrent.

[Canton Kev]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

From the perspective of the EFL, I can’t see Southampton being kicked out. They would hate to have to deal with the precedent it’ll set.

The “spying” was a lad with an iPhone filming from behind a tree. If the EFL go this route, they’re saying even the mildest form of incompetent spying results in games being null and void and expulsion from competitions.

Going forward, should another club be found to have done something similar but far more maliciously or competently, hacking a personal device and taking information off it for example, simply making the result a 3-0 loss to the offending team won’t be deemed enough and I doubt the EFL want to deal with the headache massive point deductions, forced relegation, etc will bring.

The least messy scenario for all parties involved is a fine which is what I expect to happen.

[jon1959]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

From the perspective of the EFL, I can’t see Southampton being kicked out. They would hate to have to deal with the precedent it’ll set.

The “spying” was a lad with an iPhone filming from behind a tree. If the EFL go this route, they’re saying even the mildest form of incompetent spying results in games being null and void and expulsion from competitions.

Going forward, should another club be found to have done something similar but far more maliciously or competently, hacking a personal device and taking information off it for example, simply making the result a 3-0 loss to the offending team won’t be deemed enough and I doubt the EFL want to deal with the headache massive point deductions, forced relegation, etc will bring.

The least messy scenario for all parties involved is a fine which is what I expect to happen.

I'm sure you are right - unless there is scope for others (Boro, Hull fans....) to endlessly appeal.

This is a mess of the EFL's own making. There is no 'good' outcome.

[Trigger]

Re: Spygate (part 2)

Least messy option from here is a future sporting sanction on Southampton by way of points deduction or just a huge fine.

Booting them out causes far more of a mess than Middlesbrough appealing or future legal action.

I think they get a huge fine and some dodgy decisions at Wembley.