Southampton were charged by the EFL before Saturday’s first game at the Riverside Stadium for breaching league rules.
Reports at the time suggested that a Southampton employee had been caught filming the training sessions with professional filming equipment 48 hours before the match. He was then asked to delete all the recordings and leave the area.
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After the first leg ended 0-0 on Teesside, Southampton advanced to the Wembley final against Hull City on 23 May. There they won 2-1 against Kim Hellberg’s men on Tuesday night at St. Mary’s.
Shea Charles’ late goal in extra time proved to be decisive between the two teams after more than 210 minutes of football. However, Southampton will face sporting sanctions if they are found guilty of the alleged offences.
Southampton spy revealed as William Salt
The Daily Mail has now published the first photo of the Southampton employee, hiding behind a tree at Middlesbrough’s training ground with a mobile phone in his hand.
The person has been identified as intern William Salt, who earlier in the season was pictured in Tonda Eckert’s “Championship manager of the month” photos. Salt is said to be a key player in Eckert’s first-team operation and is highly rated by the 33-year-old German coach.
Salt was confronted by staff in Middlesbrough before fleeing the area.
New details emerge in the “Spygate” saga
In addition to the exclusive photo, the Daily Mail also has several new details about the ongoing investigation.
It is said that Salt used his bank card to buy coffee at Rockliffe Hall Golf Club. This has led to speculation that there may be a paper trail across the UK, if this has not happened on just one occasion.
A Championship club believes they were monitored by Southampton after they changed manager, before they played Eckert’s men.
Middlesbrough now also believe that this may not be the first time they have been monitored. The club is pushing for Southampton and Salt to provide all relevant documents related to the case, which will be considered by an independent disciplinary commission.
Middlesbrough will be pushing for a quick fix, with the play-off final just ten days away. The club’s ideal wish is that Southampton be banned from the playoffs.
Other possible sanctions for the south coast team will involve fines and points deductions.
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