In common with 99.99% of the population, I have no idea whether Southampton Football Club are guilty of spying on Middlesborough F.C.

I do think that the whole affair has cast a very unwelcome shadow over football, taking away a lot of the joy of a potential promotion to the Premiership…. something that looked almost impossible earlier on in the season.

I really hope that the case is “not proven”, although Middlesborough fans will no doubt disagree.

I am sure spying has probably happened on many, many, occasions involving lots of clubs. It is right that football authorities discourage it with appropriate punishments.

In 2019, Leeds were found guilty of spying on Derby County. The fine was £200k.

If found guilty and the punishment is stopping the club being promoted the potential loss to the club could be £200 million ! That seems to me to be out of all proportion to the earlier precedent set. So, let’s hope common sense prevails, especially for the players and supporters who clearly are in no way responsible.

Photo – a memory from 2024, Southampton promoted.