A photograph has emerged of the Southampton analyst allegedly observing Middlesbrough’s training session last Thursday, just 48 hours before the two clubs met in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg.
The photograph, originally published in the Daily Mail but which The Athletic has also obtained, shows a young man standing, half-covered by a tree at Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Park training ground holding up his mobile phone. He has been named as William Salt, a member of Tonda Eckert’s backroom analysis team.
The image will form part of the evidence Middlesbrough provide to the English Football League (EFL) as they seek to have the greatest sporting sanction possible imposed on Southampton, including expulsion from the play-offs. Middlesbrough also have details of a credit card used by the ‘spy’ at the golf club adjacent to Rockliffe.
Middlesbrough are gathering other evidence and have a statement from a former member of Southampton’s staff regarding the practise of ‘spying’ on opponents before matches, according to sources briefed on the matter. The Teesside club have engaged the services of high-profile sports lawyer Nick De Marco and want the EFL hearing to begin before the weekend. The play-off final is May 23, with Hull City having already booked their place.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s second leg, Phil Parsons, Southampton’s chief executive, published a letter on the club’s website that stated they are “fully cooperating with the EFL and the disciplinary commission” but also want to ensure “all the facts and context are properly understood”.
“Given the intensity of the fixture schedule and the short turnaround between matches, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly,” Parsons’ message added. “We also believe it is important that the full context is established before conclusions are drawn.”
Southampton fans have made light of the situation (Warren Little/Getty Images)
Per its own rulebook, clubs are given 14 days to respond to charges, but the EFL has sought to expedite the process and has asked the Independent Disciplinary Panel to “shorten the response period and to list a hearing at the earliest opportunity”. Southampton, however, are mindful of ensuring the investigation is not rushed through before all the information has been established.
Southampton are also conducting their own internal review of what took place ahead of the first leg and are taking the allegations very seriously. Salt was at Stapelwood, the club’s training ground, on Wednesday but had previously been given a handful of days off in light of the charges being brought.
Eckert’s side reached Wembley courtesy of their 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough on Tuesday night. The visitors’ team bus was damaged by objects thrown by Southampton fans as it arrived at St Mary’s and the game itself regularly boiled over.
At one point, referee Andy Madley stopped the match to talk to both managers after Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis allegedly made reference to Middlesbrough defender Luke Ayling’s speech impediment. No further action will be taken on that incident.
Southampton have said they are “co-operating fully” with an EFL investigation, but both clubs need certainty, not least for logistical reasons. Hull also need to know the identity of their opponents. Both clubs have been approached for comment.
Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, has called for Southampton to be removed from the play-offs.
“Kim Hellberg’s post-match interview showed his decency, commitment and total integrity,” McDonald said. “By contrast, the Southampton manager walks out again when asked if he is a cheat. Remarkable lack of awareness for the club spokesman to respond with ‘Have some respect.’
“What respect did they show to Kim Hellberg, his players, to MFC and our fans?”
Additional reporting: Dan Sheldon