Southampton expelled from Championship play-offs, docked four points for spying
The EFL expelled Southampton from the Championship play-offs and docked the club four points after Southampton admitted to spying on Middlesbrough and two other opponents. Middlesbrough, WHO lost to Southampton in the semi-finals, have been reinstated and will face Hull at Wembley in the Championship play-off final. Southampton has a right to appeal, but the ruling immediately reshapes the battle for promotion to the Premier League with millions in TV and prize money at stake.
they would have gone up, and been relegated with 21 points, and literally nobody would have enjoyed it. a colossal act of mercy www.theguardian.com/football/202...
ubergreeny3Watch it be more punitive than City (ItshouldbepointedoutthatCitydenyanywrongdoing)
Sam Gleave2I guess It’s the kind of behaviour you’d expect from a club who until recently had Rupert Lowe as its chairman. All those Saints fans who turned up wearing camouflage gear and holding binoculars for a giggle last week are now laughing on the other side of their faces
Mike Leach2As a Southampton fan who wants us to win as many games as possible without getting promoted this is the ideal outcome frankly. None of that “inching past the lowest points total” and var thanks.
I think this is probably the right decision, or else spying is incentivised, but what a debacle! www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Dustin George-Miller7istg if City gets off scott-free from the 115 charges after this...
Neal Shepperson5Gawd, they will be punishing people for years of financial irregularities next. 😐
Andy D3It would be interesting to learn who at Southampton knew about the spying. I presume if the manager wasn't in on it he'll walk. Could be a double blow for them.
Sonia Zakrzewski2I have very mixed feelings as they played totally awfully after having spied. So would have been better not to have even tried. I just get fed up that some clubs get away with such things repeatedly and others don't. Esp as ManCity are playing tonight. And I'm sadly black-and-white for my sins...
