Spying Southampton’s embarrassment: Saints didn’t even WIN the games they admit to cheating on as fans demand refunds for their cancelled trips to Wembley – and guilty manager fears the sack

Southampton’s attempts to gain an advantage by spying on opponents have not only backfired spectacularly in the promotion battle, but the Saints have failed to win even one of the games in which they have admitted cheating.

On Tuesday, in a sensational development in the Spygate scandal, an independent disciplinary commission expelled Tonda Eckert’s side from the £200 million Championship play-off final to face Hull City on Saturday.

The club also faces a four-point deduction ahead of next season. The appeal will be heard by an independent arbitration panel on Wednesday.

Middlesbrough, who filed a complaint after their training was filmed 48 hours before the first match of the play-off semi-final, is preparing to take its place in the final. But strangely, the game will be brought forward an hour on Saturday, kicking off at 3.30pm, but if Southampton is replayed it will remain at 4.30pm.

At Tuesday’s hearing, the south coast club admitted spying on Middlesbrough, Oxford United in December and Ipswich Town in April. Text messages between Southampton staff are believed to provide incriminating evidence of systemic espionage.

However, Southampton failed to win any of their three matches; The most controversial of these operations took place before the 0-0 draw in the first leg of this month’s play-off semi-final.

Tonda Eckert’s side were excluded from this weekend’s Championship play-off final

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Oxford, who sacked manager Gary Rowett on the 23rd of December, suspected that training by interim coach Craig Short had been observed ahead of the Boxing Day match against Southampton. The club accepted this, but Oxford still won the match 2-1 in a shocking result at the time.

The match against Ipswich in April also saw a competitive clash in the promotion battle, but Southampton again failed to win as they drew 2-2.

The outcome of the trial sparked outrage and condemnation from the football world; Many Southampton fans, including supporter group Rainbow Saints, even demanded refunds for their canceled trip to Wembley for the play-off final.

In a statement expressing their anger and disappointment at what had happened, they added: ‘Whilst we are disappointed with the decision to exclude Southampton from the play-off final following today’s hearing, we are embarrassed and further disappointed by the admissions made on behalf of the club on three occasions when the rules were breached.

‘The players have worked hard to get back in the first half of the season and we fans have spent countless time and money traveling across England and Wales in all kinds of weather to cheer them on.

‘But we are completely disappointed by the incredibly poor decision-making process, with decisions completely out of our control.’

They also added that the news overshadowed the incredible improvement under Eckert, in which the German took the club from 21st in November to 4th at the end of the season.

The group has similarly called on the club to issue refunds to fans who attended both legs of the semi-final, issue a formal apology to fans, take appropriate disciplinary action if necessary for those involved in the breaches, and conduct an internal review into what took place.

Elsewhere they expressed concern for Middlesbrough trainee William Salt, identified as a Southampton spy, and called for the club to provide “adequate support”.

Southampton did not comment on Tuesday when asked if Eckert would be subject to internal disciplinary action.

However, it is understood that the German football player is afraid of his role in the club following the developments and that coach Johannes Spors is also under investigation.

Southampton analyst hiding behind a tree to spy on Middlesbrough training

The 2-2 April draw with Ipswich was one of three matches in which Southampton admitted cheating

Daily Mail Sport first revealed on May 7 that the Southampton first-team analyst was confronted by Boro staff after he was seen hiding behind a tree at the Rockliffe Park training base.

He then ran to a nearby place golf clubHe changed his clothes in the toilet and fled the area. The EFL accused the Saints of breaching its rules banning clubs from monitoring rival training sessions.

We later uncovered a photo Southampton trainee Salt took on his iPhone of Boro training, revealing his close connection to head coach Eckert.

After our story broke, a tipster reached out to Middlesbrough with the suspicion that they were not the only victims. Boro have spoken to several Championship clubs who believe their sessions are being spied on by Southampton.

Wrexham, which missed the play-offs by one point, is now watching the developments. They may sue Southampton for damages.

Middlesbrough, who were defeated by Saints in the semi-final second leg last week, returned to training this week with the hope of returning to the final. The group, led by chairman Steve Gibson, had called for their rivals to be kicked out of the competition on the grounds that they were cheating.

Following Tuesday’s hearing, the EFL said in a statement: ‘The Independent Disciplinary Commission today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the club admitted numerous breaches of the EFL Regulations in relation to the unauthorized filming of other clubs’ training sessions.

‘In addition, the club received a reprimand on all charges as well as a four-point deduction which will be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table. As a result of today’s decision, Middlesbrough will return to the 2026 play-offs and advance to the play-off final against Hull City. The final is planned to be held on Saturday, May 23, and the start time is to be confirmed.

‘Southampton were first charged on Friday 8 May and further charges were announced on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional offenses in the 2025/26 season. These additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were commenced.

Southampton admitted breaches of the Regulations, which require clubs to act in the utmost good faith and prohibit monitoring another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. The admitted infringements relate to matches against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.

‘Southampton have the right to appeal the Commission’s decision under the EFL Regulations and the parties are working to try to resolve any objections on Wednesday 20 May. Depending on the outcome, another change may be made to Saturday’s match.

‘The EFL is currently consulting with all three clubs about the impact of today’s decision and will make a further announcement in due course.’