19 May 2026 19:38:39
In other news, Boro continue to make friends in the football world...
Southampton kicked out of playoffs, really can't stand Boro after their fans harassed and stalked Edwards all season.
19 May 2026 20:07:32
In fairness to Boro, if Southampton didn't want to be kicked out of the Playoffs, they probably shouldn't have cheated?! I might not love Boro, but this is the right decision. The Champ seems to be much quicker at actually applying their own rules than the Prem!
19 May 2026 20:31:43
Probably better for Wolves if Boro get promoted. Rob Edwards's Wolves vs Boro next season would be toxic in the extreme. It would make the Baggies games seem like a primary school picnic.
19 May 2026 21:44:18
Who actually gets punished? Saints fans and players have done no wrong. Over half a million fans have paid to watch games at St Mary's, and they get kicked out because one man is watching Boro kick a ball about. The punishment is far too harsh and misplaced, imo.
19 May 2026 22:51:01
I get what your saying, Ron, but the reality is that since this first happened (with Bisela), the FA had since updated the rules. Having done so, it is now Very clear that you are not allowed to do exactly what they have done! I have to be honest, even I'm surprised that they have had the guts to follow through, but if anything, it makes me have more respect for them! It was in the rules that Southampton aren't allowed to watch them train, and from what I'm reading they have admitted that the guy there is from their team, therefore they were cheating and should pay the price. I actually think the only thing that is unfair is that Boro go through, the fairest thing would be for Hull to just be promoted.
However, that was never gonna happen, as it would mean no final and no pay day for the league, so overall I think it's about as fair as they could be. It's quite simple, if you don't want to be punished then don't blatantly cheat!
On a side note, it does also throw a new light on Southampton's incredible form this season. Cause they have been fantastic, which now begs the question, have they been good or have they been doing this every week? I suppose we'll get a front row seat to find our next season now. ?
19 May 2026 23:43:53
It's not illegal to film in public, and the person in question seemed to be off their property, standing on the other side of a fence. If clubs want to train in private, it's quite easy to do so. Personally, I think the whole thing has been blown out of all proportion.
If it were Wolves involved and Jeff sent someone to 'spy', who would we want held responsible? Pretty sure it wouldn't be the fans or the players.
20 May 2026 01:16:31
It's also not 'illegal' to breach FFP, but it is against the rules of the competition that Leicester have agreed to play in, so they have been rightfully punished. How's this any different? Either the rules matter or they don't?
Having read the article, it seems that Southampton have admitted to doing it for three different games (how many aren't they admitting to, I wonder), one of which being Ipswich, which was a massive game for both clubs. The rules are entirely clear, you aren't allowed to even watch the other team train within 72 hours of playing them. Also worth noting here that the lad doing the filming clearly knew he was in breach of the rules, as he went into the golf club and changed his clothing so as to slip away unnoticed; does that sound like the behaviour of a club working within the rules? Does it help that they were caught cheating, and now they should take their medicine and move on.
You keep saying about the fans, but let's have it the other way round, if they'd been playing us in the playoffs and were caught cheating before knocking us out, would you just say 'ah well, there's always next year'?
Similarly, if it had been us doing the cheating then I wouldn't be blaming the FA, I'd be blaming the club for allowing such an entirely reckless and frankly pathetic tactic to be done in our club's name.
Also let's be clear here, they were training in private, and it seems to be a bizarre response to a club so brazenly cheating just to go 'but what about the fans'? So in which case we can never punish cheating then, cause as fans of the club any penalty will be felt by them?
Footy is already being absolutely destroyed (for me) by the level of cheating in the modern game, so personally I have no problem with seeing it being punished. ?
20 May 2026 11:25:04
Well put, Bully. If only more rules were applied and transgressions properly punished. The message is clear: don't break the rules, don't cheat. Are you listening, Prem League and Citeh?
20 May 2026 14:17:10
Hear, hear, Bully's.