A THURSDAY or Friday could well be the definitive day in Middlesbrough's 2025-26 season. Not a Tuesday.

Given that the latter was the day when Boro's play-off semi-final second leg was staged – a narrow loss to Southampton at St Mary's in a tie which ended 2-1 on aggregate to Saints – things seem rather incongruous.

This was no ordinary tie or situation. On the 40th anniversary of the play-offs, there have been fewer more controversial episodes than Spygate 2.0. Two pulsating games of football have been totally overshadowed.

The apprehending of a Southampton analyst – caught spying on a Boro training session last week – set the wheels in motion for a scandal which has rocked the EFL and the Teessiders' fate remains unresolved.

Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg dejected at the final whistle after during the Sky Bet Championship play off semi-final at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire.

placeholder image — Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg dejected at the final whistle after during the Sky Bet Championship play off semi-final at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire.

What is definitely known is that Hull City will definitely be in the Championship showpiece at Wembley on Saturday week. Who will they face? Southampton or possibly even Boro?

Boro's players were understandably disconsolate after being felled by a heart-breaking late goal in extra time from ex-Sheffield Wednesday loanee Shea Charles.

Those visiting supporters who made the long midweek trip to St Mary's were similarly pained. There was pride, but also defiance.

A chant of 'Stevie Gibson, he's coming for you' rang out from the away end.

Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Middlesbrough's Luke Ayling spoken to by referee Andrew Madley. Photo: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire.

Boro's widely-respected chairman, his club – and many across football in fairness – have been incandescent with rage at the actions of Southampton, who were charged by the governing body for breaching regulations last Friday. They acknowledged the charge.

A independent disciplinary commission will consider the evidence before delivering a verdict.

The timing of the hearing has not been confirmed, but the EFL made a point of requesting that the commission convenes at the earliest opportunity.

Rather than just a fine, which Leeds United received after being found guilty of spying back in 2019 before new rules were introduced, a sporting sanction, possibly involving a points deduction or even competition expulsion – could well come into play.

Reports on Wednesday suggested that other clubs have expressed concerns about potential spying offences by Saints.

Speaking on Tuesday, emotional Boro boss Kim Hellberg, pictured, called the situation “disgraceful”.

He said: "Alex Neil said a very good thing after the (Millwall) game. He said 'I think I let people down as we haven't won'.

"That's often the feeling a coach goes home with because you think, what I could control was the tactical aspect of the game or helping my players more.

"When that is taken away from you in that way, when someone decides: 'No, we're not going to watch every game. We'll send someone instead and film the session and see everything and hope we don't get caught'. I guess that was why they were switching clothes and all those things."