Tag: Southampton

Southampton hit out at ‘manifestly disproportionate’ punishment
20 May 2026 Off

Southampton hit out at ‘manifestly disproportionate’ punishment

By Total Football News

Southampton say they have appealed against their removal from the Championship play-offs as it is “manifestly disproportionate to every previous sanction in the history of the English game”.

An EFL independent disciplinary commission on Tuesday evening expelled Southampton from the play-offs and reinstated Middlesbrough, who are now set to face Hull City in the final on Saturday.

The St Mary’s club were also deducted four points in the Championship next

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Southampton expelled from play-offs for spying on Middlesbrough, Oxford and Ipswich
19 May 2026 Off

Southampton expelled from play-offs for spying on Middlesbrough, Oxford and Ipswich

By Total Football News

Southampton have been thrown out of the play-offs after admitting they spied on three clubs in the Championship season.

The EFL charged Saints with watching training sessions of Oxford United and Ipswich Town, in addition to filming Middlesbrough as they prepared for the first leg of their play-off semi-final on 7 May.

The independent disciplinary commission also handed Southampton a four-point deduction in the Championship for next season.

Saints will

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Southampton FC: Saints’ success under Eckert overshadowed
19 May 2026 Off

Southampton FC: Saints’ success under Eckert overshadowed

By Total Football News

As a Southampton supporter, I had been counting down the days to the play-off final on Saturday.

After a season where Saints produced some of the best football and consistency I’ve seen in years, it finally felt like the club was building real momentum again.

But over the last week and a bit, that excitement has been completely overshadowed by the allegations surrounding the club.

When the first stories emerged

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Could Southampton be kicked out of the play-offs over Spygate?
13 May 2026 Off

Could Southampton be kicked out of the play-offs over Spygate?

By Total Football News

The EFL is desperate for the uncertainty to end.

But this is now in the hands of an independent disciplinary commission.

The process is managed by Sport Resolutions, an independent mediation company.

The panel is made up for three members. The chair is usually a judge, lawyer or barrister who is a KC or QC. They sit with two side members who are sports lawyers, barristers or mediators.

Appointments are

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Southampton begin internal review over spying claims
12 May 2026 Off

Southampton begin internal review over spying claims

By Total Football News

The situation leaves a shroud of uncertainty over the play-offs before the second leg. And it will continue to cast a cloud if Southampton get to the final.

The independent disciplinary commission has all powers open to it – from just issuing a fine, to a points deduction to even removing Southampton from the play-offs.

For this reason the EFL – which does not decide the punishment itself – has

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‘Spygate’: Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg accuses Southampton of ‘cheating’
12 May 2026 Off

‘Spygate’: Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg accuses Southampton of ‘cheating’

By Total Football News

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg accused Southampton of trying to cheat and said every club in the Championship “should be angry” as the ‘spygate’ controversy reached a new level of animosity.

The astonishing episode dominated the build-up to the play-off semi-final between the sides.

Following Saturday’s goalless draw in the first leg of that tie, Hellberg criticised what he believes to be Southampton’s underhand tactics.

The alleged incident occurred on Thursday

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James Bree: Southampton defender on return to Tonda Eckert’s side
8 May 2026 Off

James Bree: Southampton defender on return to Tonda Eckert’s side

By Total Football News

Southampton defender James Bree has been discussing the upcoming Championship play-off semi-final games against Middlesbrough and his return to the side.

The 28-year-old left the club on loan at the start of the campaign but since returning in January he is yet to lose a league game.

Bree sat down with BBC South Today’s Lewis Coombes.

This article was originally posted on https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cwy2qx5z4eqo

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Southampton spying probe: Saints face EFL probe for spying on Middlesbrough
8 May 2026 Off

Southampton spying probe: Saints face EFL probe for spying on Middlesbrough

By Total Football News

The English Football League (EFL) has launched an investigation into an alleged case of spying by Southampton on Middlesbrough before they meet in the Championship play-offs.

The first leg of their semi-final takes place at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, with the return at St Mary’s on Tuesday.

BBC Sport has learned Saints’ performance analyst was allegedly caught recording Boro training and taking pictures of tactics late on Thursday morning.

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Tonda Eckert: Southampton head coach on squad fitness
7 May 2026 Off

Tonda Eckert: Southampton head coach on squad fitness

By Total Football News

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert hopes his squad will be at “full strength” for their upcoming Championship play-off matches.

The Saints head coach said that he is “quite positive” defender Jack Stephens and midfielder Kuryu Matsuki will be available alongside a full squad for their games against Middlesbrough and a potential play-off final.

Club captain Stephens has not been available since April’s clash against Bristol City, and when asked if Matsuki

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Championship play-offs: Can stats pick out winner between Millwall, Southampton, Middlesbrough and Hull City?
7 May 2026 Off

Championship play-offs: Can stats pick out winner between Millwall, Southampton, Middlesbrough and Hull City?

By Total Football News

In the 21 play-off campaigns since the Championship era began in 2004-05, the club finishing in third during the regular season has won promotion the most often.

Recent history shows that teams finishing in fourth place are well set up for promotion, too.

The past six Championship play-off winners have all finished in either third or fourth, of which four successful sides have finished in fourth spot.

With nine of

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