EFL Playoffs time

Grealish’s Shinpads said:
I wouldn’t expect them to be booted out and certainly wouldn’t want us to be gifted a trophy we didn’t win on the pitch.

The advantage gained here is minimal. I’m not saying it’s right, but to pretend that this somehow completely changed the game and gave Southampton an insurmountable advantage is bollocks.

Southampton should be punished but in the form of a heavy fine or a points deduction next season, not by getting removed from the play-offs. If the EFL really insists on removing them then at least just give Hull the bye in the final. Reinstating a losing team is a farce
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You’re still missing the point.

They’ve broken the rules. To attempt to gain an advantage. They’ve broken the “acting in good faith” rule and expectation. To attempt to gain an advantage.

Basic foundations of the sport.

They’re cunts and they deserve a kicking.
 
hilts said:
You cant nuance a result though or cheating can you, not a hard concept really.
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Again, if you think that spying on a training session is what made all the difference here and that the punishment is proportionate then we can agree to disagree. In my view it is completely disproportionate. Southampton did something wrong and should be punished but they should be punished in a way that is proportionate to what they did.
 
Grealish’s Shinpads said:
No point going into a game of what ifs. If you genuinely think that spying on a training session is what tilted that game in Southampton’s favour and the only reason why they beat Middlesbrough then we can agree to disagree.

It’s ironically a similar argument to what opposition fans make against us re the charges, labelling us cheats to the score and saying that we should be stripped of our sporting achievements
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Its not a similar argument because we haven't been found guilty of cheating, also you keep going on about it not affecting the result, then why do it, you wont answer. By your inane argument a team could drug a player but still lose, therefore dont be so meany to the spiking cheats.

Genius.
 
Stoned Rose said:
You’re still missing the point.

They’ve broken the rules. To attempt to gain an advantage. They’ve broken the “acting in good faith” rule and expectation. To attempt to gain an advantage.

Basic foundations of the sport.

They’re cunts and they deserve a kicking.
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Saying things like “you’re still missing the point” don’t further your argument.

You are seemingly incapable of understanding the concept of proportionality. And seemingly also struggling with reading comprehension because you seem to think I am saying Southampton didn’t do anything wrong.

Southampton cheated, yes. They should be punished, yes. The punishment given is totally disproportionate. That’s what I am saying.

I won’t bother breaking it down more granularly than that for you.
 
hilts said:
Its not a similar argument because we haven't been found guilty of cheating, also you keep going on about it not affecting the result, then why do it, you wont answer. By your inane argument a team could drug a player but still lose, therefore dont be so meany to the spiking cheats.

Genius.
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My fault for trying to introduce a nuanced argument in a discussion with someone incapable of seeing the parallels between the two. I won’t bother breaking it down for you if you can’t see it.

It gives them an advantage which I have not denied at any point.What I am saying is that the advantage gained is minimal. Teams do all sorts of things for marginal gains; it doesn’t mean that they have a direct impact on the result to the point where it changes the outcome of the game.
 
Haha I’ve literally just seen they’ve been kicked out. How’s Le Tissitwat taking it on twitter?
 
I actually think this is utterly disgraceful. The punishment is crazy, I don't think Southampton did anything drastically wrong. Certainly not to lose their play off spot. It's hardly breaking into a nuclear base is it watching a training session. And why the fuck do Boro get a bye to the final, they should have to play Wrexham.
 
Being based down south for the last 10+ years I have always had a bit of a soft spot for saints. Have been to a few games, all my friends and work colleagues here support them.

That said the last two City Saints games I’ve been given absolute vile abuse by their fans and I know this maybe isnt a fair reflection of them as a fan base because this happens at football all the time.

But Wembley recently was a joke, the amount of fans that squared up to me all whilst I was stood next to the police as I was waiting for friends at a nearby car park.

Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch.
 
Grealish’s Shinpads said:
Again, if you think that spying on a training session is what made all the difference here and that the punishment is proportionate then we can agree to disagree. In my view it is completely disproportionate. Southampton did something wrong and should be punished but they should be punished in a way that is proportionate to what they did.
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I kind of don't see what's wrong with spying - it's up to teams to stop it, do 'secret' stuff out of the way etc.

But it's in the rules, so they're fucked.

Agree with you about it being disproportionate, but how could this have an appropriate penalty?

Think the best way would be to ban them from using video analysis and watching MOTD for the whole of next season. :) Let them know nothing about teams - apart from by turning up at training sessions and trying to spy on them!
 
Kippax Street 1880 said:
Weren't they the first side that missed out? Boro lost their semi-final. Either Hull should go up or they should have to play the semi again against Wrexham. Why should Boro get a free second chance at promotion?
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The spying happened ahead of the semi final, after the league positions were decided, you shouldn't go back and punish them for things that happened before what they did wrong.
Wrexham weren't affected by this
 
LangleyBlue1970 said:
Glum after a domestic cup double? Not a chance.

That forum is funny though
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Yeah that’s fair enough, I hear you… I’m also delighted with the cup double. Just a shame we were running on empty last night when it needed to be a “kitchen sink” job.

I’m still enjoying working my way through that thread. I know every team has its good and bad fans but the thread about them on here post-match made them sound, for the most part, like morons.

The only club I’d prefer that to happen to more, having witnessed the appalling behaviour of their fans on public transport - towards random members of the public, not just other fans - is Stoke. Must be something about red and white.
 
As if the whole thing was farcical enough they're now dicking around with the kick off times depending on who Hull are facing. What a joke, it's not like 80k people have to arrange for travel halfway across the country to get to the game. Fans are always the ones to get fucked over.
 
Bazzmand Show said:
Makes a mockery of the fine Liverpool got for hacking our scouting systems.
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Wasn’t that an in court settlement to avoid prison sentences being explored?
Stato said:
The spying happened ahead of the semi final, after the league positions were decided, you shouldn't go back and punish them for things that happened before what they did wrong.
Wrexham weren't affected by this
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Southampton admitted to spying on two other teams within the regulation season ahead of fixtures with them. I think they only won a point or two from those games, but I can bet they did a bit more.

Anyway, it can be argued that the season was affected, and a points deduction should happen this season to maintain the integrity of the competition, rather than expelling a team and giving another team a free-pass.
 
Stato said:
The spying happened ahead of the semi final, after the league positions were decided, you shouldn't go back and punish them for things that happened before what they did wrong.
Wrexham weren't affected by this
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You are mistaken there Stato. Here's the full EFL statement from yesterday that mentions an incidence of spying that took place in December 2025.

EFL Statement: Southampton Football Club​

General

19 May
Words: EFL
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An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.

In addition, the Club has received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table, alongside a reprimand in respect of all the charges.

The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 Play-Offs and will proceed to the Play-Off Final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.

Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025/26 season. Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated.

Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. The admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.

Southampton has a right to appeal the Commission’s decision in accordance with EFL Regulations and the parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May. Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture.

The EFL is now in discussion with all three Clubs regarding the implications of today’s decision and will make a further announcement in due course.

The Commission’s full written reasons will also be published in due course.
 
BlueTG said:
Wasn’t that an in court settlement to avoid prison sentences being explored?

Southampton admitted to spying on two other teams within the regulation season ahead of fixtures with them. I think they only won a point or two from those games, but I can bet they did a bit more.

Anyway, it can be argued that the season was affected, and a points deduction should happen this season to maintain the integrity of the competition, rather than expelling a team and giving another team a free-pass.
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Ah fair was unaware they admitted to more than just the Boro game
 
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