‘Spygate’: Southampton face points deduction threat before Championship play-off final

Southampton could face a six-point deduction ahead of the Championship play-off final, according to the Times.

The English Football League (EFL) reportedly consider the punishment handed to Canada’s women’s team at the 2024 Olympics as a potential benchmark in the club’s ongoing spygate case.

Southampton were officially charged on Friday with breaching EFL rule 127 following a complaint from Middlesbrough over alleged spying before their play-off semi-final clash.

The regulation prohibits clubs from observing an opponent’s training session within 72 hours of a fixture.

Southampton progressed to the final after edging past Middlesbrough 2-1 on aggregate, sealing victory after extra time at St Mary’s on Tuesday night.

However, uncertainty now hangs over their place in the final against Hull City on May 23.

The EFL is pushing to conclude both the disciplinary hearing and any potential appeal before the showpiece fixture.

If Southampton receive a severe enough sanction to remove them from the final, Middlesbrough will take their place.

Boro have reportedly instructed players to attend a meeting at the training ground on Thursday morning.

The Teesside club are also believed to have an additional witness prepared to support claims that Southampton engaged in spying on more than one occasion.

A sporting sanction is expected if the charge is upheld, with the EFL taking a strong stance on such matters.

The EFL handed Leeds United a £200,000 fine for the infamous spygate controversy involving Marcelo Bielsa in 2019.

FIFA’s six-point deduction imposed on Canada Women for using drones to spy on New Zealand at the Paris Olympics is understood to be viewed as a possible precedent.

That punishment was later upheld by both FIFA’s appeal committee and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Elsewhere, the Football Association are reviewing referee Andrew Madley’s report.

Middlesbrough’s Luke Ayling alleged that Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis made a discriminatory remark to him about his stammer during Tuesday’s second leg.