Southampton respond after expulsion from Championship play-offs for spying
The club have appealed against the severity of the sanction after admitting spying on other clubs
Southampton have claimed that their punishment for spying on opposition clubs is the “largest penalty ever imposed on an English football club” after appealing against their expulsion from the play-offs and points decduction. The English Football League (EFL) has kicked Southampton out of Saturday’s final with Hull City following an investigation into allegations made by Middlesbrough FC ahead of the pair’s play-off semi-final. Boro are now instead due to play Hull for a place in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon at Wembley.
Southampton – who have also been given a four-point deduction next season – admitted charges of spying on three clubs ahead of fixtures thie season, including Middlesbrough, but have exercised their right to appeal the sanctions levied. A decision is expected later on Wednesday as to whether they will be reinstated for the final, with Southampton believing the punishment to not be commensurate to the crime. “What happened was wrong,” Phil Parsons, Southampton’s chief executive, said in a statement.
“The club has admitted breaches of EFL Regulations 3. 4 and 127. We are sorry to the other clubs involved, and most of all to the Southampton supporters whose extraordinary loyalty and support this season deserved better from the club.
“We have provided our full co-operation to the EFL's investigation and disciplinary process. Following the appeal, we will also be writing to the EFL to volunteer our participation in a working group on the practical application and enforcement of Regulation 127 across the Championship . Contrition without change is hollow, and we intend to demonstrate change.