Tony McCartnry

@delgey @jonsopel 🤣

@jonsopel Being shit at cheeting doesn’t make it any less cheeting

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

@SkySportsNews Neither should Boro, they have been knocked out

BREAKING: Middlesbrough say Southampton should not take part in Championship play-off final after being charged with spying ahead of semi-final first leg between clubs.

@smoggyparmo Proof that it did exist

1/ Days before the semi-final Southampton were caught spying on Boro training. Had they not been caught, Boro would have continued oblivious. But once they were caught, Hellberg had to change setup the day before the game. Boro then played a shape they’d never used before...

@Teessideracko The EFL can?

Here’s the thing, Boro can’t appeal the outcome but the EFL can.

@OrphansSC But you are

You Are Not Allowed To Spy On Training sessions It’s Breaking the rules …… It’s that simple !

@CraigHCAFC01 Boro would

Noooo Let’s have our day, I don’t fancy going up with it being gifted to us

@hcafcboothferry If Saints get kicked out they will have to postpone it, there will be an appeal and possibly a lawsuit

There’s just no way they can postpone the game, think we can all rule that one out. The EFL want to appear like all options are open and saints COULD get kicked out. Realistically it’ll be a hefty fine and suspended points deduction at most. #hcafc #saintsfc #boro

@jakthelad95 Would of thought if Southampton get chucked out there will be an appeal and a possible lawsuit, may drag on a bit

'Supporters should, however, be aware that the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture.' So if Southampton are found guilty then they're getting chucked out, or am I reading into that all wrong?

@tigerscribe_ If kicking Southampton out is not on the agenda then that must be announced ASAP

Whether you think Southampton should be booted out or not, the biggest match of the #EFL season brought into chaos and disrepute by their actions 🫤 This is now heavily impacting City, as well as all match-going fans, and a decision must be reached ASAP 🚨 🤷🏻‍♂️ #hcafc #hullcity

@LouSirr101 You were not cheated you had the chance to knock Southampton out over 2 legs and lost, if you felt that strongly about it try to get the tie called of until the EFL sorted it out

Nevermind the fact that we shouldn't be punished because they cheated. Why was this logic never applied in 86 or 96? Our fans are routinely punished by the EFL.

@LouSirr101 Come on then in the 2 legs, give me the advantage that Southampton gained

I love how they're acting like they haven't gained an unfair advantage. We could've spied on you had we known it was legal, but we didn't cos we followed the rules. That's the point, you gained an unfair advantage. Hence why you need to be punished with being expelled

@MattPB_ They did beat you on the pitch

If only Southampton had conducted themselves in a dignified manner, within the rules, and just beat us on the pitch, without trying to cheat beforehand, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Why not just utilise all the tools and data at their disposal, why feel the need to cheat?

@Deesy2002 In the 2 legs

@TMccartnry throughout the season or against Middlesbrough?

postponed to when? the world cup around the corner, every club involved could have players going, it’s simple Southampton cheated, fuck them off, Boro in the final. anyone else who does something to gain a sporting advantage gets sporting punishments, this is no different.

@Deesy2002 So what was the advantage?

@TMccartnry obviously something because they’re in the final, it’ll be small things that average football fans won’t know about, little details on Set Pieces, it’s no coincidence that they’ve got the 2nd best record for goals scored from set pieces if it’s something they’ve been doing often

@wallsendredicko @AdamCrafton_ Did Southampton gain any advantage in the 2 legs, if so what?

@TMccartnry @AdamCrafton_ You can’t be that stupid Tony ask a proper question and I might reply.

@wallsendredicko @AdamCrafton_ Why should Middlesbrough be helped they have been knocked out, if anything Hull should be promoted

@AdamCrafton_ How does that help Middlesbrough in anyway Adam? Boro are the team that’s been wronged and why a sporting sanction is only right and fair.

@Teessideracko If other clubs come forward could open up a whole new can of worms

The independent panel are meeting on Tuesday as confirmed by the EFL the decision to move it was brought on by other clubs coming forward and providing evidence. The EFL are priming supporters to be ready for a change in the fixture.

@jk1409 @henrywinter If there wasn't a rule in place, why did Leeds get fined, after all they didn't break any rules

@henrywinter @henrywinter - genuine question, why has your view changed so aggressively on this occasion? When Leeds United committed the same offence, you called it an overreaction, this time around you are completely the opposite. Just for clicks I guess, sign of the times….

TBC. Denotes doubts. But a decision has to be made soon. Do Boro stay in training? Do fans of Southampton make plans? Who do Hull City prepare for? Can’t delay too long: Harry Styles booked Wembley for 12 nights. Sign of the times.

@GraemeBandeira That is exactly what the EFL do not want, opens up a whole new can of worms

I'll take a wild guess and say that the latest stalling statement from the EFL suggests that other clubs have perhaps come forward with evidence and they'll be looking at this over the weekend... This also gives me opportunity to use my favourite dog gif again 😆