Punishment 'harsh' but Saints 'stupid beyond belief'

Former Southampton manager Harry Redknapp feels the decision to expel the club from the Championship play-offs for the 'Spygate' scandal is a "very harsh" call. Saints were set to face Hull City in Saturday's Wembley final but have now been replaced by Middlesbrough after an independent disciplinary commission removed them from the play-offs and docked them four points for next season. Redknapp, who managed Southampton for 48 matches between 2004 and 2005, admitted the punishment was unexpected but said spying on the opposition was a "stupid" idea.

"I think it's very harsh, I didn't see that coming - I thought they would get a heavy fine," the 79-year-old told BBC Radio Solent. "[What they have done] is so stupid it's beyond belief, what are you learning by someone filming a bit of training? What are you learning by watching them train for an hour?

It was a ridiculous thing to do. "They have made a big, big error and they have been severely punished, they really have. "I don't know how it is going to pan out.

We certainly haven't heard the last of it, it's a crazy situation. I thought they would get a massive fine but to be thrown out the play-off final is really very severe. " BBC Sport understands Saints are set to appeal against the decision on Wednesday afternoon but the club are yet to release a statement, with Saturday's play-off final just three days away.