{"id":33539,"date":"2026-05-15T06:57:37","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T06:57:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/championship-match-canceled-after-england-star-accused-of-making-discriminatory-remarks-towards-rival-player\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T06:57:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T06:57:37","slug":"championship-match-canceled-after-england-star-accused-of-making-discriminatory-remarks-towards-rival-player","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/championship-match-canceled-after-england-star-accused-of-making-discriminatory-remarks-towards-rival-player\/","title":{"rendered":"Championship match canceled after England star accused of making ‘discriminatory remarks’ towards rival player"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Championship play-off semi-final between Southampton and Middlesbrough was called off on Tuesday night due to allegations of “discriminatory remarks”.<\/h2>\n
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May 12, 2026, 21:18<\/span>Updated May 12, 2026 21:49<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Luke Ayling and Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Image: Sky Sports)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
The Championship play-off semi-final second leg between Southampton and Middlesbrough was called off on Tuesday due to allegations of “discriminatory remarks”. The incident prompted Boro player Luke Ayling to accuse Saints’ Taylor Harwood-Bellis of making a discriminatory comment.<\/p>\n
Referee Andy Madrid stopped play in the first half when Ayling was booked for a foul. It is claimed that Madrid will report the incident after speaking to both managers following the exchange with Harwood-Bellis.<\/p>\n
Sky Sports reporter Jonathan Oakes said: “There was an exchange of words between Luke Ayling and Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Ayling said the words Harwood-Bellis used towards him were discriminatory and that other players around him heard them.”<\/p>\n
read more: Angry Southampton and Middlesbrough managers separated in angry clash<\/span><\/span>read more: Arsenal’s brutal prediction for the Champions League final: ‘It could get ugly’<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
“Referee Andy Madeley has spoken to both managers regarding this matter. Madeley has said he will report on the matter.”<\/p>\n
Both teams will play for a place in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 23rd, with a favorable position in the Premier League at stake. The winner will face Hull City, who beat Millwall 2-0, in the other semi-final.<\/p>\n
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Saturday’s first leg ended in a goalless draw between Middlesbrough and Southampton at the Riverside. Boro head to the south coast looking for a five-game unbeaten run but face a difficult task against Saints, who have not lost at home since January.<\/p>\n
The visitors took an early lead in Tuesday’s match with a goal from Riley McGree before Ruth Stewart equalized in first-half stoppage time.<\/p>\n
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Riley Magley dominates Middlesbrough in the early stages (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The lead-up to the semi-finals has been dominated by suspicions of espionage. Saints were charged by the EFL last week with a breach of misconduct rules after Boro reported him to the league for allegedly catching a Southampton employee filming a training session ahead of the first leg.<\/p>\n
Saints coach Tonda Eckert was asked about the incident after the game. The German said little in his pre-match interview with Sky Sports, instead referring to the club’s statement released on Friday night.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“The big games always belong to the players, and I think it’s only natural that the spotlight is on them.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Luke](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37147559.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Screenshot-37.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Riley](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37147599.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2275859109j.jpg\")
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