Embarrassed to be a Southampton supporter for the first time, but Tonda Eckert’s team shouldn’t be kicked out of the playoffs
There’s little we fans can do other than laugh about it (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
Southampton FC were a club that did things the right way. Their academy was admired and their recruitment respected.
It was the same a week ago. That’s no longer the case. As a Southampton fan, that’s heartbreaking.
We’ve always been good at making fun of ourselves. You have to do that when you’re down 9-0 – twice. So while the mantra “I’ll always spy on you” may sound arrogant, it’s more of a coping mechanism. What else can I do?
Even the most ardent supporters must face the truth. There is no doubt that Southampton Football Club committed misconduct, whether ordered from above or not. Plain and simple.
Advantages have been sought outside of the game as well. But – stay with me – that’s just the way it is. outside of the game.
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read more: Middlesbrough receive ‘new evidence’ in Spygate scandal, plan ahead for play-off finalread more: Southampton win hard-fought battle against Middlesbrough to advance to Championship play-off final
Soccer is contested between two teams of 11 players over 90 minutes and extra time. The first-team analyst did not score the winning goal which eliminated Middlesbrough from the play-offs. They don’t have that power.
I don’t think any Boro fan can put their hands on their hearts and say that they deserved to lose after what happened on the pitch. And that’s how soccer matches are decided.
Decisions cannot and should not be made off the pitch. Spygate therefore put the EFL in a somewhat impossible position. You can’t take away the advantage you’ve already gained. Or what you were trying to get.
Thea Charles marched the Saints to Wembley and no committee should stop them (Image: Getty Images)
But we can’t make the leap to declare everything that happened in those 210 minutes on the pitch invalid. It’s not fair, it’s not fair to be spied on, and life is not fair. That’s the harsh reality.
It is a great shame that one of the most entertaining aspects of English football, the climax of the season, has been overshadowed by this story. i hate it.
Still, next week is the Championship play-off final between Hull City and Southampton. And it should remain that way.
Regardless of who was behind the decision to watch that training session, punishment is deserved. However, soccer is decided on the pitch.
I’m ashamed of my club, but I’m not ashamed of a team that has given me some of the best nights of my life as a fan, nor of the loyal support that epitomizes the 12th man to sold-out houses across the country. We have been, and will continue to be, lashed in the court of public opinion.
Hold the guilty accountable. But not in a way that punishes us all.
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