.

@AlfieHouseEcho Sounds like a final gambit by Middlesbrough and more notably Gibson himself, as they know they won’t cry their way to the playoff final. This entire thing has been embarrassing as a supporter, but we all knew that once the semi final first leg began it’d be decided on the pitch.

🚨 Middlesbrough statement on disciplinary hearing: “Middlesbrough FC notes the decision of the Disciplinary Commission not to permit the club to intervene in the proceedings brought by the EFL against Southampton FC. “The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact. “The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition. In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final. “We remain hopeful that the EFL, as regulator, will pursue such a sanction before the Disciplinary Commission in order to protect the integrity of the game, safeguard all member clubs, and deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League. “The club reserves all its legal rights.” #SaintsFC

Statement doesn’t help, but where does it end? If we are banished, do Boro get a free pass to the final? Do Hull get a free pass to the PL? I can’t see any simple outcome for us being banished that’s “fair” for all parties. It’ll be a fine and likely points deduction. #SaintsFC

@SaintsExtra @CraigHope_DM It’s gone from military grade spy equipment, to professional spyware, to an iPhone… can’t wait to see what other evidence comes out.

🚨 Breaking: Photo of Southampton analyst hiding behind tree & using phone to spy on Middlesbrough #saintsfc @CraigHope_DM

@SColrein77 @AdamBlackmore Nothing to do with you being a Hull fan and getting a free pass to the premier league then, no?

@AdamBlackmore The only good enough punishment if it’s decided to be bad enough is expulsion plain and simple. It the only deterrent that will set standards for the future.

If I had to guess how this #SaintsFc spy mess is going to turn out if found guilty, I’d go: 500k fine 3pts docked at the start of next season And if an individual turns out to be responsible for authorising it, a possible 6 month ban That’s my nearest the pin currently⛳️

@jm_bell95 Plus, the only outlets reporting the possibility of us being banned from the playoffs are linking the same source from The Guardian, who in their piece admit it’s just a rumour. Either way it’s a shambles and so embarrassing for the club!

@jm_bell95 So they brought in the official 3-day window where it’s prohibited to observe training without invitation, but nothing in the infringements or sanctions specifically saying a team can be banished from the playoffs. My guess is a points deduction next season if we don’t go up.

Highly funny Southampton playing Que Sera Sera over the PA system only to face the very high probability of being disqualified from the playoffs in the coming days 😂

@TalkCPFC If that were at the other end of the pitch they’d give a goal Ollie

@DeanWoodward Surely has to cash out in play. Who on earth lets that ride when they went 3-1 up?

Life is cruel sometimes. Real cruel.

@TalkCPFC If any City player surely it has to be Cherki

@JoblessMick @willsyms7 @J_J_Burke People call your team Disney FC you are in no position to talk

@willsyms7 @J_J_Burke Sorry your team is that boring it's so hard to pay attention. Gone are the days when you had le tissier playing for you.

Might be in the minority but I have no idea why anyone would want Southampton in the play-offs/PL over Wrexham. Southampton do it every year, and come back down every year. It's boring. At least with Wrexham it's new, and they would actually give the Prem a go

@TalkCPFC Ref bottled it on field Ollie, was very clearly a high challenge

People gonna be swiftly deleting their Cyle Larin hate tweets… #SaintsFC

@AJPfx_ @hasfabulous @theJakeLawrence Ideally he would need to not sign up to a regime that would murder innocent children, would be a good start.

@samharrisonnnn @hasfabulous @theJakeLawrence It will be conscription which is mandatory for Israeli citizens so what is he supposed to do? On the other hand he has a German passport, so in theory he won’t ever have to 🤔

Not wanting a player because he’s from Israel is bizarre. #saintsfc

@AJPfx_ @hasfabulous @theJakeLawrence Not even close to being the same thing. But if this was the 1940s people would completely agree.

@samharrisonnnn @hasfabulous @theJakeLawrence Better yet we’ve had 2 wars against the Germans, let’s send Jander and Quarshie back

@AJPfx_ @hasfabulous @theJakeLawrence So when he serves his national service to the IDF, then what?

@samharrisonnnn @hasfabulous @theJakeLawrence Can you hear yourself? You’re judging a person by his country and nationality. This is genuinely xenophobic and I am shocked by the reaction of a lot of people. Would you be saying the same if we signed someone from Afghanistan or Iraq?

@AJPfx_ @hasfabulous @theJakeLawrence You’ll never guess what, but he’s from the country committing the genocide mate. A country that has national conscription. The beliefs are engraved in their very way of life.

@hasfabulous @theJakeLawrence What has our new goalkeeper got to do with said genocide

@SaintRob__ It’s more than just Baz, the sooner you admit that the better. The three in front of him give him far too much to do.

We will be nowhere near the playoffs if we keep playing one of the worst keepers in europe every week. #SaintsFC

@TalkCPFC You’re crying out for signings, Mateta looked dead on his feet tonight and you could tell Spurs were happy with how the game was going

Enzo Maresca is on serious fraud watch after that one. Time and again he managed the second half appallingly