Southampton hit back at the EFL again, this time suggesting two members of the disciplinary committee have “historical and indirect links” with Middlesbrough.
Southampton have made a surprising statement (Image: Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Southampton have suggested that two members of the EFL disciplinary committee over Spygate may not have received fair punishment because they had “historical and indirect links” with Middlesbrough.
The Saints were excluded from the Championship play-off final after admitting charges of spying on rivals throughout the season, giving them four points for next season. After losing to Southampton in the semi-final, Boro returned but lost 1-0 to Hull City in the £200m final at Wembley.
The FA has now launched its own investigation into the matter, and manager Tonda Eckert is under intense scrutiny. BBC Sport has published private WhatsApp messages revealing how junior staff felt forced to spy on Boro, Oxford and Ipswich.
The arbitration panel released its written reasons for the disciplinary action on Monday, and a surprising statement was released by the Championship club. They suggested there was bias against Southampton in the process, but also argued that “the most serious allegations do not appear to be supported by direct evidence”.
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A club statement said: “Southampton Football Club notes that the Arbitration Committee has today published in writing the reasons why our appeal against the sanction imposed on us by the Disciplinary Committee in the EFL case has been unsuccessful.
“We accept that the club breached the relevant regulations and that the disciplinary authority was entitled to conclude that proof of sporting superiority was not required to establish a serious breach.
“The club accepts that aspects of our initial response to this situation were not treated with the level of scrutiny that was required at the time. In hindsight, we wish we had handled things differently from the beginning and this was an error in judgment for which we are responsible. “Nonetheless, we are satisfied with the manner in which we acknowledged the charges and demonstrated full co-operation and good faith once the formal EFL investigation process began.
Southampton were kicked out of the play-off final due to ‘Spygate’ (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
“We also note that the club has been judged against the highest standards of honesty and integrity, which is entirely appropriate. What is even more unacceptable given that two committee members have clear historical and indirect links with Middlesbrough. “The same scrutiny does not appear to have been applied to the composition of the disciplinary committee itself. While these relationships do not in themselves prove bias, they do clearly raise legitimate questions about the standards of consistency, recognition, and independence expected in a case of this scale.”
“The club is also concerned by the weight being given to allegations that junior staff were pressured to become involved, when some of the most serious allegations do not appear to be supported by direct evidence. However, junior staff should never have been put in a position where they felt pressured and the club accepts responsibility for the failures of leadership and management.”
“This case was ultimately decided on the basis that the breach and attempted breach were sufficient, regardless of whether a sporting benefit was actually obtained. Indeed, at no stage was there a finding that the club actually obtained a sporting benefit as a result of the conduct in question.”
“While this is a harsh interpretation, the disciplinary authorities were entitled to adopt the rules as written. Southampton Football Club will now carefully consider the published reasons and review its internal processes to ensure that governance, supervision and decision-making procedures are strengthened as a result.”
“Our responsibility now is to acknowledge what happened, take ownership of the lessons it has taught us, and use this experience to strengthen our judgment, discipline and integrity and move forward together as a club.”
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