The Spygate situation descended into pute farce on Tuesday evening with Saints kicked out of the play offs and Middlesbrough re-instated but the way is still open for this decision to be overturned on Wednesday on appeal.

The statement from the EFL was to the point, although it released few details of what the charges actually alluded to, it read as follows:

"An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.

"In addition, the Club has received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table, alongside a reprimand in respect of all the charges.

"The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 Play-Offs and will proceed to the Play-Off Final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.

"Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025/26 season. Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated.

"Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. The admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.

"Southampton has a right to appeal the Commission’s decision in accordance with EFL Regulations and the parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May. Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture.

"The EFL is now in discussion with all three Clubs regarding the implications of today’s decision and will make a further announcement in due course.

"The Commission’s full written reasons will also be published in due course."

It is hard to comment on whether this verdict represents justice or if the punishment fits the crime, so the fact this is an utter farce comes from the EFL's handling of the situation.

Presumably having been presented with the evidence they must have had an inkling of what way the verdict would go, that being the case why allow over 37,000 Southampton supporters buy tickets for Saturday's game and a lot of other preparations to be made, including coaches hired, train companies putting on extra trains and also merchandise to be produced.

I am no legal expert, but surely this constitutes the EFL taking money under false pretences.

They clearly needed more time that they had to sort the situation out and now face utter chaos and it could yet get worse.

The key part of the statement is

Southampton has a right to appeal the Commission’s decision in accordance with EFL Regulations and the parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May. Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture. The EFL is now in discussion with all three Clubs regarding the implications of today’s decision and will make a further announcement in due course.

Southampton have already launched an appeal, just what this will constitute is as of yet uncertain, but presumably from the statement the EFL are relying on that appeal not involving Saints taking legal measures to prevent the game being played before this mess is sorted out.

Of course the EFL was working to tight schedules, but given the severity of the penalty, if that is justified then this is not a situation that could have been resolved in less than two weeks.

What will they do if Saints win the appeal, will do a backtrack and kick out Middlesbrough and reinstate Saints ?

I doubt it which will mean that they will then have a situation where they will be sued by Southampton .

At the moment it is hard to comprehend the situation as a whole, other than this has been a kangaroo court conducted at short notice and without the EFL's prescribed rules and regulations being followed, firstly by holding the panel at such short notice that Saints could not possibly prepare themselves in such a short time for what are seemingly very severe breaches with such a draconian penalty.

Secondly by then not giving Southampton sufficient time to launch an appeal and to again properly prepare it, stating they aim to resolve the appeal within 24 hours of the verdict.

This has been a bad day for football, yes perhaps Southampton are guilty as charged, we don't know that because none of the evidence has been revealed as of yet.

This farce has a long way to run yet and when we consider the behaviour of the EFL, that pales Saints crimes into insignificance.

All Photos Via Reuters