EFL Charges Southampton Over Spygate, Independent Hearing Set Before May 19

Southampton’s Championship play-off final fate is set to be decided by an independent disciplinary commission after the EFL charged the club over alleged spying on Middlesbrough’s training session ahead of their semi-final first leg.

The EFL said the independent hearing will take place “on or before Tuesday, 19 May,” while the final at Wembley is still scheduled for Saturday May 23 with kick-off confirmed as 4.30pm.

BBC

Sky Sports reported the hearing date “remains under discussion” and that the next week’s showdown could be delayed while the EFL investigates the ‘Spygate’ scandal.

Middlesbrough’s players, who were knocked out of the play-offs by Southampton on Tuesday, were told they would report back to the club training ground on Monday as their summer plans hang in limbo.

Hull City are guaranteed a place in the Wembley showpiece, but the EFL’s contingency planning leaves uncertainty over whether Southampton could be kicked out of the contest.

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg has accused Southampton of “cheating” and pushed for severe punishment, while the EFL said the commission, not the league, controls the proposed timetable.

The Guardian reported that the EFL’s interim update warned supporters that “the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture.”

BBC

Hull sporting director Jared Dublin told BBC Radio Humberside, “We are 100% focused on the final at Wembley and preparing to face Southampton until we are told otherwise,” as he said the club “don’t want any distractions.”

Sky News added that the EFL issued a statement on Thursday saying the hearing would take place “on or before Tuesday, 19 May,” throwing the scheduling of the showdown into doubt.

The BBC also said the hearing will be managed by Sport Resolutions, an independent mediation company, and that any ruling from an appeal is considered final under EFL rules.

If Southampton are found guilty, the EFL has warned the play-off final could be postponed or altered, with the BBC listing possible options including a fine, a points deduction or throwing Southampton out of the play-offs.

“The Championship play-off final may not go ahead on Saturday 23 May as the English Football League (EFL) investigates the Spygate scandal surrounding finalists Southampton”

BBC

The BBC said the stadium is booked out the following weekend for the Rugby League Challenge Cup final on 30 May and the Women’s FA Cup final on 31 May, leaving limited room to move the Championship showpiece.

The EFL’s statement also emphasized that supporters should consider travel and accommodation because the disciplinary outcome may change the fixture, while the Guardian noted Hull would have to adapt preparations at short notice if Middlesbrough were reinstated.

Sky Sports reported that the EFL continues to plan on the basis that the final will take place as scheduled on Saturday May 23, but added that “Supporters should, however, be aware that the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture.”

With the hearing due by Tuesday 19 May, the BBC said the commission might not meet until as late as Tuesday, four days before the play-off final, and that the League One and Two finals are due on 24 and 25 May respectively.