Rich

@BBCMOTD @5liveSport Since they’re not contesting the charges, they’re clearly stalling for time & shouldn’t be allowed to dictate the timescales here.

Southampton have asked for more time to conduct an internal review after they were charged with spying on Championship play-off rivals Middlesbrough. The EFL has accused Saints of "observing, or attempting to observe, another club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match," which is a breach of its rules.

@Boropolis @TimesSport @MailSport Surely the most pressing issue & the one that needs resolving first, is punishment for Southampton for cheating prior to the playoff games. Alledged systemic spying during course of the season is a separate and much bigger issue. I don’t think the two should be conflated.

🚨💣🧵 Some key points taken from both @TimesSport & @MailSport this evening. • Middlesbrough are not thought to be seeking any sort of financial compensation. The Times understands they want as hard a punishment as possible. • The commission has it within their power to impose a range of sanctions if Southampton are found guilty of spying, from a fine to expulsion from this season’s competition. It is thought Middlesbrough’s hierarchy will push for the latter. • It appears unlikely at this stage that the hearing will have reached a conclusion before the teams meet for the second leg on Tuesday. • Middlesbrough are planning for their campaign to go on regardless of whether they lose. • Sources have told The Times the club believe they may have been spied on by Southampton on other occasions. • Forensic analysis of mobile phones, computers and bank statements could hold the key to learning whether Southampton are guilty of systemic spying on rival teams. • Daily Mail Sport understands there is a suspicion that the sessions of several Championship clubs have been secretly observed by Saints staff this season. • The League have been asked to obtain all relevant devices and records that could reveal evidence of previous spying. • A digital footprint of suspected individuals, including bank statements, could prove significant, if such activity did occur on multiple occasions. #Boro | #UTB | #SaintsFC

@SkyFootball The smirk. There’s no integrity in this playoff tie now. Hope they get what’s coming to them. Any punishment for Southampton doesn’t go far enough, as Boro who are the victims here and their preparations have been compromised - They need to get something out of this as well.

Tonda Eckert reacts to Southampton being charged with a breach of EFL regulations after a member of staff was alleged to have spied on Middlesbrough's training 💭

@secondtierpod Not sorry for cheating, sorry they got caught. It might go some way to explaining their “remarkable upturn in form” in the latter half of the season.

Tonda Eckert when he bumps into that intern that got caught

@12pointsSaints @TeleFootball @LukeEdwardsTele Ah so you’re now acknowledging that this cheating did happen, and it’s not something Boro have just made up ‘to sell tickets’ ? Good - this is progress.

@chonkypixel @TeleFootball @LukeEdwardsTele What because a uni student went to a ground off his own accord without the clubs knowledge we should be kicked out the play offs

🚨Exclusive: Southampton accept ‘spying’ charge but claim analyst acted alone 🎥 “Spy” caught with professional surveillance equipment 🙏 Saints hope “lone wolf” defence satisfies EFL 💷 Range of punishments open @LukeEdwardsTele has the full story: telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/…

@Scottwilsonecho Now they have been charged with a breach of regulations, Boro’s playoff games should surely now be postponed, pending resolution of the Independent Commission & a decision on a subsequent punishment ?

This is definitely a major escalation. Still unclear exactly what penalties might be in the offing if proved guilty, but EFL acknowledging both the seriousness of the situation and the need for the fastest possible resolution… #Boro #SaintsFC

@DomShawEcho Then neither playoff games vs Southampton should now go ahead, until the commission have come to a conclusion regarding Southampton’s subsequent punishment .

🚨 Southampton have been charged with breach of EFL regulations. Matter now be referred to Independent Disciplinary Commission. Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond but EFL will ask Commission to 'shorten response period & list hearing at earliest opportunity'

@TryCobalhaus Hi, can you tell me if these shorts are good for trips?

No checked bag. No overpacking. Just a carry-on and the right pieces. These Shorts are built for exactly that lightweight, versatile, and clean enough to wear all day. Throw on a tee, a polo, or a linen shirt and you're done. Less stuff. Better trips

@Boropolis @guardian_sport Their article says Southampton have 14 days (!!) to respond to the allegation - that gives plenty of time for cheats to prosper.

🚨 | Spying cases are dealt with by an independent disciplinary panel, which has the power to impose punishments ranging from reprimands to fines, points deductions and, in extreme cases, expulsion from the competition. [@guardian_sport] #Boro | #UTB | #SaintsFC

@TypicalBoroPod If Strelec is fit, then no; I’d give him a run in the side now. The definition of madness is doing the same thing over & over again and expecting different results. Looking forward to the podcast …

Plenty of talking points from last night. Gutting for Conway to miss a golden chance to win the game for #Boro and break his goalless streak. 😫 Would you start Tommy Conway on Saturday v Derby? #UTB

@thecarolemalone All of what he said in that post is objective fact though, Carole. All you have said in your response is an opinion, so just who is the delusional one here?

How dare you post this delusional nonsense when your joke of Government is trashing this country at breakneck speed. People voted for Labour this time around because they said “They can’t be worse than the Tories.” In less than a year they’ve proved they are - on every level!

@Boro Jeez I hope he brings more energy and life when he’s on the pitch.

Hear from Kelechi Iheanacho for the first time since he became a Boro player 💬

@SkySportsNews Is it though? Neither player will stop #Boro shipping ludicrous goals at the other end of the park. #TDD

A successful deadline day for Middlesbrough, who got deals for Kelechi Iheanacho and Samuel Iling-Junior over the line 🤩 #TDD

@thecarolemalone Specifically which of the “thousands of EU laws” are you glad we “dumped”, and which of the remaining “EU laws” are you annoyed about, which we have kept?

If I had to vote Brexit again - I’d do it ten times over. Read my column express.co.uk/news/politics/…

@hwallop @FennieBee I’d guess liberation = freedom? So freedom from discrimination ?

@chonkypixel @FennieBee But why "liberation"? Genuinely confused

At UK universities there are now "Welfare and Liberation Officers". What the hell do these people do?! Seriously. I don't understand.

@hwallop @FennieBee Could be for all sorts, presumably they take action against discrimination or inequality?

@FennieBee Yes, but what's the liberation bit?

@SkyNews … Yet Sainsbury’s are expecting to make £1bn in profit in the last year. Hmmm 🤔

Sainsbury's to cut over 3,000 jobs as budget tax hikes loom Full story ⬇️ trib.al/g37Vwzq

@bushontheradio Dune.

Planning to re-watch a load of David Lynch stuff this week in his honour after the sad news of his death last week :( What should be on my list?

Is it OK to kiss your dog on the mouth? Claudia Winkleman has split opinion after admitting she even lets her dog use its tongue when kissing her on the mouth. Does that gross you out? Or are you wondering what the big deal is?