Southampton manager Tonda Eckert ended his post-match press conference early on Saturday in tetchy scenes. The latest drama comes as Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg branded the Saints “cheats” over the Spygate scandal, which engulfed the build-up to the Championship play-off semi-final.
The Saints have been charged by the EFL for breaches of misconduct regulations after Boro reported them to the league for allegedly catching a Southampton employee filming their training session on Thursday, ahead of the first leg. And Eckert was asked about the matter after his side’s 0-0 draw against Boro.
The German said little in his Sky Sports interview before the game, instead referring to the club’s statement released on Friday evening. The questions kept coming for Eckert in his post-match press conference, though, until the Southampton press officer ended it and both left the room.
When asked by journalists about the allegations, he said: “I think the club made a statement yesterday evening. I think that’s all there is to say at the moment.
“I think we can talk about this and I know that these questions are coming up, but I think we shouldn’t get distracted by the importance of those two big games.
“The big games always belong to the players and I think they deserve that the focus is on them.”
View 2 ImagesTonda Eckert is attempting to lead Southampton back into the Premier League(Image: Getty Images)
Hellberg offered his thoughts on the situation in his post-match press conference – admitting he could not believe what he was hearing when first told about the allegations.
The 38-year-old said: “It’s a weird situation. Couldn’t believe my eyes or ears when heard it, couldn’t believe it when someone told me for the second time or the third.
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“But if someone makes decisions to go and try to cheat, that’s clear and it will be interesting to see what happens with that.”
An EFL statement on Friday read: “Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.
“This follows a request from the EFL for the club’s observations after a complaint from Middlesbrough relating to alleged unauthorised filming on private property ahead of the two clubs meeting in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg.
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“The charges relate to the following Regulations: EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith; and EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any club from observing, or attempting to observe, another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs.
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“Under EFL Regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges. However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to shorten the response period and to list a hearing at the earliest opportunity. The League will make no further comment whilst proceedings are ongoing.”
The second leg will be played on Tuesday night, with a place in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium against either Hull City or Millwall – who also drew 0-0 in their first leg on Friday – at stake.