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Original poster

If a team is found to be guilty of cheating they should be expelled from the competition

62 replies

WorldCup2026 · 17/05/2026 13:11

I’m talking about the Southampton FC spy being sent to a rival team 2 days before a knock out match.

they probably would have won the game without these tactics as their rivals weren’t good enough.

I feel they should not play in the final as it will ge a deterrent against cheating in the future, it’s sets ab example at all levels of football.

OP posts:
murasaki · 19/05/2026 20:07

user1471453601 · 19/05/2026 19:41

And yet, despite the investigation ending in 2024, there is still no decision on the 100 + allegations against Man City.

I think the Southampton decision is right, but it couldn't be, could it? That the powers that be are too too frightened to censure a team, in case the Teams benefactor takes away it's money from the league?

There never will be for City. We all know it.

Saints are lower tier so can be punished. Rightly so, but so should City be.

user1471453601 · 19/05/2026 19:41

And yet, despite the investigation ending in 2024, there is still no decision on the 100 + allegations against Man City.

I think the Southampton decision is right, but it couldn't be, could it? That the powers that be are too too frightened to censure a team, in case the Teams benefactor takes away it's money from the league?

IamaBluebird · 19/05/2026 19:21

Southampton have already launched an appeal, so who knows which way it will go tomorrow.
Whatever the outcome I feel real sympathy for the genuine Saints supporters who will be devastated.

ItalianChineseIndianMexican · 19/05/2026 18:57

Wow, that's a very bold move. The right one though.

murasaki · 19/05/2026 18:55

And a 4 point deduction. I think there must have been convincing evidence from the other two clubs as well.

TheOtherBear · 19/05/2026 18:52

monkeysox · 19/05/2026 18:51

Has happened. Just been on the news.

Show quote history

Yes, I just posted that!

Wow. Can’t believe the EFL has been so bold. Great decision.

monkeysox · 19/05/2026 18:51

TheOtherBear · 17/05/2026 21:19

You’re not wrong, but it won’t happen. The main values / behaviours of the EFL are cowardice and corruption.

I thought they were going to dock Soton a few points (up to 6-7ish, which means the top six wouldn’t have included other teams), and either apply it from August if they fail to win promotion, or recommend the Premier League apply it if they do win promotion - and then of course the PL wouldn’t apply it and say it’s nothing to do with them, and thus there would be a ‘punishment’, but life would keep moving on.

But I hear the manager is going to take the fall instead, and get a long term ban. I guess if he was the one who set this up then the owners have pushed him to fall on his sword and sacrifice himself so the club and fans don’t get punished. And the EFL would probably love this as they’d feel like there has been sufficient punishment without them having to make a bold decision.

Problem is…. it’s a solution that gives no redress for Boro (or indeed, any other teams Soton might have done this too….).

Boro should take it into civil court and get a big pay-out from Soton. There’s precedent for that so I can’t see it being a problem. Expect Soton to take a number of years to pay it though…..

(And we’ll all skirt over the fact that the club escaped proper punishment…..)

Edited

Has happened. Just been on the news.

TheOtherBear · 19/05/2026 18:47

Oh my god, it’s happened!!! They actually chucked them out

NotAnotherScarf · 17/05/2026 21:36

There is a precedent. Swindon. Illegal payments in 1990. They won the playoffs but were denied promotion.

But of course that won't help Middlesbrough as it will be Hull promoted instead

DandelionClockSeeds · 17/05/2026 21:22

This is the only topic of conversation at work right now!!!

Opinions are mixed. Apparently its not the first time suspicions gave been had about them spying - just the first time they were caught.

That said, the timings are crap. Personally, I think the playoff shouldn't have been held. It should have been Boro and Wrexham. But things moved too slowly.

Who knows who would have won without the spying (probably the Saints!).

Whatever happens now, Southampton, Middlesbrough or Wrexham will feel hard down by.

TheOtherBear · 17/05/2026 21:19

You’re not wrong, but it won’t happen. The main values / behaviours of the EFL are cowardice and corruption.

I thought they were going to dock Soton a few points (up to 6-7ish, which means the top six wouldn’t have included other teams), and either apply it from August if they fail to win promotion, or recommend the Premier League apply it if they do win promotion - and then of course the PL wouldn’t apply it and say it’s nothing to do with them, and thus there would be a ‘punishment’, but life would keep moving on.

But I hear the manager is going to take the fall instead, and get a long term ban. I guess if he was the one who set this up then the owners have pushed him to fall on his sword and sacrifice himself so the club and fans don’t get punished. And the EFL would probably love this as they’d feel like there has been sufficient punishment without them having to make a bold decision.

Problem is…. it’s a solution that gives no redress for Boro (or indeed, any other teams Soton might have done this too….).

Boro should take it into civil court and get a big pay-out from Soton. There’s precedent for that so I can’t see it being a problem. Expect Soton to take a number of years to pay it though…..

(And we’ll all skirt over the fact that the club escaped proper punishment…..)

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