Middlesbrough FC boss makes 'cheat' claim amid Southampton probe - Saints rival walks out of press conference
SOUTHAMPTON head coach Tonda Eckert was forced to field a string of questions about 'Spy-Gate' before his uncomfortable post-match press conference was cut short by a Saints club press officer after his side's 0-0 Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Middlesbrough at an emotional Riverside Stadium.
The game was massively overshadowed by the story which broke on Thursday evening which alleged that a Saints performance analyst recorded Boro players in training and took pictures and videos of tactics earlier in the day.
The English Football League charged Southampton with a breach of regulations on Friday night. In a later statement, Saints acknowledged the charge.
New rules in the wake of Spy-gate 1.0 - which centred on the conduct of Leeds United ahead of an infamous fixture against Derby County in 2019 - now expressively prohibit clubs from viewing opponents training in the 72 hours immediately prior to a fixture, unless invited to do so.
Punishments range from fines, points deductions, transfer embargoes and removal from competitions, according to the EFL handbook.
The EFL disciplinary commission - an independent panel - have the power to hand out punishments, which range from fines, points deductions, transfer embargoes and removal from competitions, according to the EFL handbook.
Eckert, a former Barnsley coach, was asked several questions about the situation before he and the club’s media officer called time on the after-match press conference and left the media room.
Asked to comment on the charge, Eckert said: "I think the club made a statement yesterday evening and I think that's all there is to say at the moment.
"I think we can talk about this and I know that these questions are coming up, but I think we shouldn't get distracted by the importance of those two big games.
"These big games always belong to the players and I think they deserve that the focus is on them."
Southampton players and staff were barracked by home supporters when they arrived at the stadium amid a extremely hostile reception.
Offering his take on an unedifying spectacle ahead of his side's play-off tie, Boro head coach Kim Hellberg said: "It was a weird situation. I couldn't believe my eyes or ears when I heard about it (on Thursday).
"I couldn't believe when they told me for the second time, or the third.
"But then it was quite clear that they tried that day. Again, I'm not putting anything on the players or supporters of Southampton, I think they are brilliant, unbelievable.
"They have nothing to do with it, and I sometimes feel sorry for them because they get thrown this in the face.
"But if someone makes decisions to go and try to cheat, that's clear. It will be interesting to see what happens with that.
"I've seen some talking about that it's not a big advantage because you can see the games on films, but it's a massive advantage.
"It's just unfair, and I think everyone agrees in this room. We'll see what happens.”
On his emotions, he added: "I think also different things. Anger. You feel also that we (should) have respect between each other (clubs).
"I think that's what we were talking about. There's respect between each other that they're totally failing.
"It's a big game and you try to get advantages in an ugly way. An unfair way.”
Asked about what punishment should be meted out to Southampton, the Swede said: "I cannot answer on that.
"I just think it's weird that they do that and try to cheat in this type of game."
Boro produced a relentless outstanding first half performance, but could not find a breakthrough against Saints.
The visitors were better on the resumption as the game ended goalless.
The second leg takes place on Tuesday night at St Mary's.