Southampton were charged by the EFL with spying on Thursday after a Saints employee allegedly filmed a Middlesbrough training session.
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert asked about spying allegations (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
Southampton coach Tonda Eckert left her postgame press conference early Saturday morning in an awkward moment. The latest drama came as Middlesbrough manager Kim Helberg branded Saints “cheating” over the Spygate scandal, which disrupted their preparations for the Championship play-off semi-finals.
Saints were charged by the EFL with a breach of misconduct rules after Boro reported him to the league after he allegedly caught a Southampton employee filming a training session on the Thursday before the first leg. And Eckert was asked about the incident after his side’s 0-0 draw with Boro.
The German said little in his pre-match interview with Sky Sports, instead referring to the club’s statement released on Friday night. However, questions continued for Eckert at the post-match press conference, and both players left the room after Southampton’s spokesperson finished the press conference.
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Asked by reporters about the allegations, he said: “I think the club issued a statement yesterday evening. I think that’s all I can say at this point.”
“I think we can talk about this and I know these questions will come up, but I don’t think we should be distracted by the importance of these two big games.
“The big games always belong to the players, and I think it’s only natural that the spotlight is on them.”
Tonda Eckert tries to lead Southampton back to the Premier League (Image: Getty Images)
Helberg gave his thoughts on the situation in the post-match press conference, admitting that he was in disbelief when he was first informed about the allegations.
The 38-year-old said: “It’s a strange situation. I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears when I heard it, and I couldn’t believe it when I heard it the second and third time.”
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“But if someone decides to cheat, it’s obvious and it will be interesting to see what happens with that.”
An EFL statement on Friday said: “Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL regulations and the matter will be referred to an independent disciplinary committee.”
“This follows a request from the EFL to observe the club following a complaint from Middlesbrough regarding allegations of unauthorized filming on private property before the two clubs meet in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg.”
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“The charges relate to the following rules: EFL Rule 3.4 requires clubs to act with each other in the utmost good faith and EFL Rule 127 prohibits clubs from observing, or attempting to observe, another club’s training sessions within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs.”
“Under EFL regulations, Southampton are normally required to respond to charges within 14 days. However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL requests that the Independent Disciplinary Commission shorten the response period and hold a hearing at the earliest opportunity. The league will not be making any further comment while the process is ongoing.”
The second leg will take place on Tuesday night, with a place in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium on the line, against either Hull City or Millwall (who also drew 0-0 in Friday’s first leg).
