SAINTS boss Tonda Eckert or technical director Johannes Spors could face a ban IF found to have ordered the alleged undercover mission.
Southampton booked their spot in the Championship play-off final on Tuesday after Shea Charles’ extra-time goal KO’d Middlesbrough.
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Tonda Eckert could face a ban if he is found to have ordered a member of staff to spy on Middlesbrough training Credit: Getty
A ‘spy’ was allegedly caught filming Boro at their training ground last week
That set-up a Premier League shootout with Hull on May 23 but Boro remain on standby for a Wembley date as they push for Saints to be kicked out of the play-offs and a quick resolution to EFL proceedings.
The Boro squad are on red alert and are due to report back to training for a planned de-brief on Thursday.
Saints were charged by the EFL with misconduct after Boro allegedly caught a member of their analyst staff spying at their Rockliffe training ground.
An individual, identified as intern William Salt, was snapped hiding behind a tree using his mobile phone to spy on the Teessiders’ training session before being confronted by Boro staff and scarpering.
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Boro also have details of a credit card used by the ‘spy’ at the golf club next to Rockliffe, part of the entire complex owned by Boro chairman Steve Gibson, which could potentially lead to a paper-trail of past alleged missions.
Salt was photographed on the shoulder of Saints boss Eckert while celebrating his Sky Bet Championship manager of the month award in February.
Salt, highly valued by German Eckert, was not pictured with the boss and other backroom staff last Thursday to mark April’s manager of the month – the same day he was alleged to have been in the North East.
He was also not in the March celebratory photo that was released on April 9.
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Southampton booked a spot in the Championship play-off final with a 2-1 win over Boro on Tuesday Credit: PA
Kim Hellberg is prepared to welcome his players back to training at the end of the week Credit: PA
The image will be part of the evidence Middlesbrough provide to the EFL as they seek for their rivals to be hit with the greatest sporting sanction possible.
But they also suspect they have not been the only alleged victims and believe they will be able to present evidence that at least TWO other clubs were spied on by Southampton.
CCTV from said clubs is also being reviewed. One report has also claimed an ex-Southampton staff member is willing to tell-all regarding the practice of ‘spying’ on opponents before matches in a statement.
Gibson has enlisted the services of high-profile sports lawyer Nick De Marco and Boro are calling for the EFL hearing to begin before the weekend as their players remain in limbo.
Southampton were forced to DELETE all ticket updates on Wednesday night after wrongly releasing information for the final.
Saints say the confusion over tickets was due to the fact they were meant to publish details at the same time as fellow finalists Hull.
The hearing, yet to be confirmed, will be by an independent disciplinary commission. The EFL, Southampton and Middlesbrough all have a right to appeal the outcome, which could add even more time.
Once that final conclusion has been reached, the Football Association then has the authority to potentially intervene and launch their own investigation and sanctions.
Should any alleged spying be found to have been instructed by Eckert or Spors, they hold the jurisdiction to potentially be hit with a ban from matches.
Ex-Canada women’s team head coach Bev Priestman was banned for one-year by Fifa for her role in a drone spying scandal at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Eckert, a former analyst himself, walked out of a SECOND press conference in four days after being faced with questions regarding alleged cheating after the win over Boro.
Hellberg accused Southampton of cheating following the first leg. When Eckert was asked post-game on Tuesday if he is a cheat, a press officer stepped in and said: “Thank you very much, show some respect, that’s all we ask. Well done.”
Eckert had earlier claimed Southampton are “taking the matter very seriously” but said he could not speak any further while an investigation is ongoing.
On whether he believes Southampton are any closer to knowing their potential punishment, he replied: “No, I don’t know. It’s the same with the last game.
“It’s not easy for me to not comment, there’s just nothing I can say at the moment because it’s an ongoing investigation.
“We’re taking the matter very seriously. I will say something, I just can’t say it now. Because it’s an ongoing investigation and nothing that I say is going to make an impact on that.
“It’s not easy for me. I will say something, it’s just not the moment.
“We do understand the seriousness of the matter. That’s all there is to say about it.”
An emotional Hellberg fought back tears and branded Southampton’s conduct as “disgraceful” before his opposite number appeared to face the media.
On that, Eckert said: “Again, I think everyone has the right to express their opinion. He has done that. All I can say is I will say something, it’s just not the moment now.”
