Middlesbrough FC's Championship play-off semi-final opponents Southampton ask for time over Spygate - something EFL does not have

The sides drew 0-0 at the Riverside in a tie that is due to be settled in extra-time or on penalties if the scores are level at the end of the second leg.

But the Saints seem determined to take their time over the "Spygate" scandal hanging over it. That is something the Football League do not have with the final due to be played at Wembley on May 23.

Southampton have been accused of spying on Boro's training session after what is alleged to have been a club employee was found filming their preparations from bushes at their Rockliffe complex.

Boro coach Kim Hellberg had strong words to say about cheating after the first leg, whilst Southampton's Tonda Eckert, once on the Barnsley coaching staff, appeared to find it quite amusing.

As this is the first case since the rules were strengthened after Leeds United were fined after admitted to spying on Derby County in the 2018-19 season, there is no precedent for what action the league will take but available punishments include expulsion from the play-offs.

With the stakes so high as both clubs fight for a transformative promotion to the Premier League, Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons has stressed his club is trying to take its time establishing the facts, and to not distract further from his team's preparations.

"The club is fully cooperating with the EFL and the disciplinary commission, whilst also undertaking an internal review to ensure that all facts and context are properly understood," he said in Southampton's first statement of note on the matter since what was little more than a holding statement when the story came to light.

"Given the intensity of the fixture schedule and the short turnaround between matches, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly.

"We understand the discussion and speculation that has followed over recent days, but we also believe it is important that the full context is established before conclusions are drawn."

Normally clubs would be given 14 days to respond to the charges laid against Southampton on Friday night, but at the time the League stressed the need to speed the process up, without issuing new deadlines.

Whilst kick-off times have been decided for the League One and League Two play-off finals in the days immediately after the Championship showpiece, it has not yet been determined when on May 23 that will be played. It risks a repeat of last year, when Sheffield United supporters were made to wait until May 15 for a time – three days after they won their semi-final tie, and two days after opponents Sunderland did likewise – to book travel arrangements and/or hotels for the game, with prices rising as the day approached.

With only four possible combinations for the final once the last place in the play-off line-up was confirmed on May 2, it should not be beyond the wit of man to announce a kick-off time as soon as the semi-finals are complete, at the latest.

There could also be a situation where Middlesbrough lose the tie but remain in training for a Wembley final they may or may not be involved in.

Hull City's 2-0 second-leg win at Millwall on Monday confirmed at least one Yorkshire team will play in the game again this year.

A Middlesbrough win on Tuesday would make the League's life an awful lot easier.