Sammy

@FootballMartin_ An unquantifiable but relevant fact is that Boro’s average player positions barely differed in 210 minutes from the 46 games prior. Ergo, what advantage was realised in a two-leg, extra time contest. Can be argued both ways, but nbdy has yet identified an in match insight gained

Great insight from Stefan Borson #SaintsFC

@campbellclaret @AndyBurnhamGM So nothing on welfare bill, state reforms, NHS reform, defence, balance of payments. Disappointing.

Lots to chew over in @AndyBurnhamGM itv i/v. Has worked out his big message, (Westminster doesn’t work, I’ve shown a different way can) and potential weak spots (eg markets/fiscal rules). Avoids really going for Farage as a way of showing respect to his supporters. Long term commitment on PR. Vaguer on EU rejoin. Solid on scrapping VAR!! Good manner, lots of passion (though over use of “not point scoring!” V interesting (and sensible) choice of first interviewer given @DanielHewittITV track record on serious policy choices esp housing.

Is the outrage over Spygate understandable? An act of crass stupidity, I’ll grant you. But this is less Philby and Burgess and more Laurel and Hardy. Some hapless intern is sent to film from 400M on his smart phone the Middlesbrough team kicking footballs. What searing insights would the Southampton side have got? ‘Ok boss they’re kicking the ball with both their left and right feet. Sometimes they’re heading it.’ It’s all so silly. Southampton look like a right bunch of Charlies. But in the pantheon of great sporting scandals, this is pimple sized

@StuartJones7 Small correction, I believe the decision is reached BY Tuesday, not necessarily on Tuesday?

The disciplinary is on Tuesday. The match is on Saturday. This leaves no time to hear an appeal. The decision will have to be final. That’s why there’s little to no chance of EFL booting #SaintsFC out & risking Saints lawyers going after them for £200m losses #boro

@Boro Really really pathetic. Shame.

A statement from the club.

Always liked Nicky Butt #SaintsFC

@TimesSport @GregorRoberts0n Lol fools. A fine is more than enough and this is media baiting at its best from the panel. Change the rules by all means, but don’t trump up charges to suit a narrative

🕵️ Spygate: If Southampton are found guilty, what should the punishment be? Is a fine enough? Or should it be a sporting sanction? @GregorRoberts0n, Tony Cascarino and Martin Samuel have their say Listen here: podfollow.com/the-game

Whoa… WHAT?!! Farage told us it was all for security - where did he suddenly get £1.4m in cash to buy a property if it wasn’t from Harborne’s £5m ‘gift’ ? This stinks more every day.

Q1 2026 G7: 🇬🇧 0.6% 🇺🇸 0.5% 🇨🇦 0.4% 🇩🇪 0.3% 🇮🇹 0.2% 🇫🇷 0% 🇯🇵 (not yet reported but estimates are 0.4%)

@Benjaminbloom - 300k fine - An intern loses his job - 3 points deduction next season That’s the only proportionate way to punish Middlesbrough’s hypocrisy and flagrant overreaction

It's 10 days to Wembley, you get the final say, how are you solving this spying charge against Saints?! 🤔 #UTB #SaintsFC #HCAFC #EFLChampionship

@AndyMcDonaldMP @TeessideLive Because the MP for Boro has an objective view of this lol. This is humiliating Andy. At best it’s a minor fine.

I'm pleased to see @TeessideLive reporting on my call for the EFL to act regarding Southampton. They cannot be allowed to profit from their dishonesty. The EFL have to come down firmly and decisively on Southampton and they need to do it quickly. gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football…

@DanGeorgee @AlfieHouseEcho Shock

The FA have provided an update on the Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Luke Ayling verbal altercation from last night Following a review of the referee's report and speaking to Boro, the player (Ayling) chose not to pursue the allegation so the matter is now closed #Saintsfc #Boro

@TeleFootball Utter nonsense. The @EFL has a very clear set of precedents to follow here. Leeds were fined for persistent violations. This is a 1 off time violation of the 72 hour rule and had arguably zero impact on a 210 minute long sporting encounter. This is at worst a fine. No more.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Middlesbrough’s players will continue training for the Championship play-off final as the club intensifies pressure on the EFL to throw out Southampton 🗓️ Players given two days off but will return to training on Friday 🔺 New complaint lodged after bottles thrown at Boro team bus ⌛ Next 24 hours 'crucial' as independent panel reviews evidence @Tom_Morgs and @JPercyTelegraph have the full story ⤵️ telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/…

❌ "Southampton shouldn't care." 👀 "Get over yourselves. It's not that big a deal." Jason Cundy rubbishes the idea that "Spygate" played a part in Southampton beating Middlesbrough in the Championship Playoffs 🕵️

@AwayDaysFB lol total nonsense but sure

After a fixture filled with controversy and accusations, Southampton are headed to the play off finals. It absolutely must be said that they deserve no place in this game after the claims made by Middlesbrough over their spying and what is nothing short of cheating. The EFLs punishment will ultimately come too late for Middlesbrough to gain anything from it. Think it's fair to say that every single person in the country will be routing for Hull at Wembley 👍🏻

@AndyMcDonaldMP Wow, no wonder you’re about to lose the country. This is unhinged garbage. This is at best a minor infringement of a time-based rule, not Tinker Taylor.

Kim Helberg’s post match interview showed his decency, commitment and total integrity. By contrast, the Southampton manager walks out again when asked if he is a cheat. Remarkable lack of awareness for the club spokesman to respond with “Have some respect”. 1/2.

Bored of this story already. The reason we’ve fallen short again is not because Southampton had an analyst spying on us, and if you’re hoping the EFL will send us to the final you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

@LukeEdwardsTele This is total nonsense and you know it. The rules literally permit spectating of training. The infringement is (if any) on a time-based viewing of 1 session. You’re full aware of that but continue to peddle bait. It’s sad. The @EFL can and should resist your lust.

The rule was brought in to stop this from happening again. The range of punishments are there. It’s a huge test for the EFL but this is why they have to expel Southampton from the play offs 👇🏼👇🏼

@Dabs06721990971 @BBCTeesSport *checks Boro’s history. Ah yes. Next.

@BBCTeesSport We have the moral high ground - we kept to the rules, Southampton didn’t. The EFL will no doubt let Southampton get away with it but we can be proud not to be known as a bunch of cheats.

Middlesbrough won't let this go lightly. #Boro | #UTB | #BBCFootball

@BBCTeesSport It’s not a good look guys. You played. You lost. You barely altered your tactical positionining from the average of your season. At best Southampton should have a fine for breaching a time-based regulation but it in no way mitigates a fair if not difficult outcome for late form