Boro demands Southampton be banned from EFL final
Middlesbrough has demanded that Southampton be kicked out of the EFL Championship play-off final after accusing its rival of secretly filming its training session before their play-off semi-final.
Middlesbrough expressed frustration after being blocked from joining disciplinary proceedings launched by the English Football League against Southampton, saying it holds "relevant factual evidence" about the alleged spying incident.
The final, dubbed the "richest game in football" because of the huge financial rewards of playing in England's top flight, will be played at Wembley Stadium.
Southampton was charged by the EFL last week after Middlesbrough complained of unauthorised filming at its training ground.
Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons said on Tuesday that his club is fully cooperating while also undertaking an internal review to ensure that all facts and context were properly understood.
Southampton will play Hull City for a place in the Premier League on 24 May (AEST) after beating Middlesbrough 2-1 in its Championship play-off semi-final second leg.
"The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition," a Middlesbrough statement read.
"In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final.
"We remain hopeful that the EFL, as regulator, will pursue such a sanction before the Disciplinary Commission in order to protect the integrity of the game, safeguard all member clubs, and deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League."
Middlesbrough is also set to take legal action if needed.
On Friday (AEST), the EFL continued to plan for the final on 24 May (AEST) but warned supporters that this could change based on the outcome of the disciplinary hearing, which will take place on or before 19 May.
"As the proceedings are being conducted by an Independent Disciplinary Commission, the EFL does not control the proposed timetable," a statement from the EFL read.
"The EFL has a number of contingency plans should they be required, which also includes consideration of any appeal process, if required."
Southampton has been allocated 35,984 tickets at Wembley and has already begun selling them to supporters.
