Middlesbrough manager Kim Helberg joined his Middlesbrough players in applauding the fans at full time. (Image: Simon Dael/Shutterstock)
In a further dramatic twist in the Spygate controversy, Middlesbrough are reportedly in possession of new evidence that Southampton were spying on two more clubs during the season. Boro suffered a defeat in the play-off semi-final against Saints, but that draw was completely overshadowed by Spygate speculation.
Southampton had been accused of misconduct by the EFL after Middlesbrough allegedly caught a member of the club’s analyst team spying on a training session before last week’s first leg. The incident led to calls for Southampton to be excluded from the play-offs.
The Sun claims Middlesbrough have CCTV footage of the suspected spy from last week, but also claim they also have evidence of two other Championship clubs who believe they were spied on during the regular season.
With the outcome in question uncertain, Middlesbrough will continue training this week to prepare for the play-off final against Hull City. The match is scheduled to be held at Wembley Stadium on May 23rd.
Normally, teams would go on summer break after being eliminated in the playoffs. However, coach Kim Helberg confirmed his players are ready to return to training.
The EFL introduced new rules in 2019 that prohibit opponents’ representatives from attending a rival team’s training session within 72 hours of a match.
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The rule was introduced in the wake of the first dispute between Leeds and Derby, with then Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa handing down a fine.
After losing 2-1 in overtime to the Saints at St. Mary’s, Helberg gave an emotional reaction in his post-game press conference. “What I could control was the tactical side of the game and helping the players more,” he said.
“If we can do that, then in the week or two leading up to this game I will be away from my family for every second and watch every Southampton game as much as possible and try to get any real advantage that we can get.
“If we didn’t get that guy that they sent on that five-hour drive, you’d sit there and say we probably did a good job on the tactical side of the game. And I’d go home and feel like we failed on that side of the game where we had to help the players.”
Kim Helberg almost cried at the press conference. (Image: Getty Images)
“When it was taken away from us in that way, when someone decided, ‘No, we’re not going to watch every match. Instead, we’re going to send someone to film the sessions and watch everything and hope we don’t get caught.’ I think that’s why they swapped clothes and everything else.
“It breaks my heart for everything I believe in. That’s the problem. I don’t care if different countries have other rules. This is England, where football is the biggest thing. That’s how I feel about football. I think it’s a disgrace. It makes me very sad.”
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Meanwhile, Southampton manager Tonda Eckert stormed out of her second press conference. When asked, “Are you a fraud?” he made no reply, but the pair quickly left after a Southampton spokesperson interjected, “With all due respect.”
Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons said in a statement this week: “The club is cooperating fully with the EFL and disciplinary committee, as well as conducting an internal review to ensure all facts and context are properly understood.”
“Given the tense fixture schedule and short turnaround between games, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly. While we understand the discussion and speculation that has ensued in recent days, we also believe it is important to establish the full situation before any conclusions are reached.”
