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But it still has to be proportionate. Let's say Saints are found guilty of one offence of spying, that it was known about through the club. We're fined £10m and thrown out of the playoffs. What happens then if, next season, it's found that a different club have been spying throughout the year on multiple clubs to gain an advantage? Where does the punishment go then, if the first punishment made under this regulation has already gone nuclear?

I agree with others that say it will be a fine. Obviously we don't know the details of this case, but i am expecting circa £500k-£1M. If there is a to be a sporting sanction, i am expecting 2-3points. Leeds got £200k for spying for an entire season and having a dossier on every side... that is a far bigger impact over the course of the season on final league position and impacts every other side (and particularly those that competed with leeds at the top end). This is a stand alone case relating to spying before the 1st leg of the semi final. We're not charged here for spying since January or anything like that. People need to step outside of the boro incited media witch hunt (and all its associated hyperbole). This is a stand alone offence that we are accused of... it completely blew up in our faces, and clearly it actually worked in boro's favour in that 1st leg. Plus, how meaningful do we seriously think it could have been, it was a young lad on his mobile at the other end of the training ground, and saints travelled the next day and would not have been able to do much analysis with it, or devise counter drills etc. Similarly, as numerous experts have said, both saints and boro basically set up as standard for the game. Or is someone going to die on a hill that the reason Boro didn't win that game wasn't because they're strikers are not very good?

Yep. He's an ADR man, although he sits as a Recorder in the crown court, so will be used to dishing out unpleasant penalties.

I’m not sure why some can’t see this. We are the precedent that precedent needs to be a deterrent to others.

He says that the club is on trial and will face any sanctions but individual action could be taken against any individual later by the FA. I’m not sure that is true because only EFL rules have (allegedly) been broken.

All comparisons are comparing apples with kebabs. There is no legal comparable relevant to this; it's entirely unprecedented.

Looking at the Chair of the panel - the KC, and assuming he’s chairing this, whilst a litigation background he has a strong background in mediation, arbitration and ADR generally. In my experience, not normally the ‘Hang ‘em’ High’ type. They look for some middle ground and are generally quite proportionate. Not soft. Just proportionate.

I’m comparing it to any punishment in all of sport. Not just in this sort of incident, it would be massively excessive. To deny us a chance at a £200m+ game but go “oh by the way, we’ll have another £10m” off you too. Surely you think that’s excessive in any context.

Exactly, which is why the punishment has to be proportionate to the crime. we broke a rule, yes. But we gained no significant advantage from it (like benefitting from having players we couldn't actually afford over an entire season), therefore a huge fine and expulsion will be excessive and they know we will appeal it, throwing everything into utter chaos. As much as the EFL may want to make an example of us, the reality is they can't because of the total mess they would be creating for themselves if they do.

Or they knew he was coming and the poor kid was being set up #newtwisttospygate. I am of to work, this is going to be a day of constantly checking my phone and possibly a long visit to the toilet to read the full statement once released. Fingers crossed it’s just a fine and slap on the wrists.

It’s the club not individual. Any individual punishment would come from the FA later.

Nick Hayes?

Things like this, and comparisons to other decisions, keep being made. This was done to get an advantage in a match where, theoretically, we could have sewn up the tie, and got our place in a final with a massive prize. Trying to get an illegal advantage to help towards a £200m prize has no precedent, none, so we will be the precedent, and it won't be a finger wagging and token penalty.

Course he doesn’t why would he? reading that again how have we ended up in this ridiculous situation? It really does beggar belief that we’ve done such a stupid thing and so amateurishly.

Tip for Twitter: replace "x" or "twitter" with "xcancel" in the URL. https://xcancel.com/AdamBlackmore/status/2056658786475983116?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

Might that make him a local (to Southampton) person...? P.s. what shape are his earlobes please?

Could be but that wasn’t the impression I got watching it. Either way hopefully we find out from him soon.

I think it'll be a fine and 3 points but that's just my opinion. It's taking time because obviously it's a big decision, Saints need to be allowed to put their case together and the authorities want as much time as possible to think about it. Perfectly understandable. I also think the club should stick with Tonda, he's the best manager we've had since Ralf and arguably could go on to much greater things. If the club were to be thrown out for something as lame as this he'd be supercharged to right wrongs. If he were to get the boot he'd be snapped up elsewhere, the guy will be rated across Europe now. Finally if Boro were to replace us I'd definitely feel aggrieved. Yes Saints broke rules and need to take their punishment but at the end of the day Boro lost fair and square. It wasn't William Salt that cost them, it was their finishing ability, their fitness and their lack of squad depth. Fingers crossed Saturday is still on.

Both Same - constant twitter links are annoying as I don't want to sign up to that rubbish again

Massive opportunity missed to claim ITK status, plus make a few “a reliable contact told me…..” posts you need to raise your game

"any outcome might well come later rather than sooner " Not sure if he'd have said that if he didn't have a bit of intel on the club's expectations re: timelines...?

They can't just "make an example" of us. We would appeal, blow up the entire playoff schedule, and potentially sue them for a significant amount of money.

So Blackmore knows no more than the rest of us. I can't read the last bit as I no longer subscribe to the cess pit of X. Was it interesting?

The tax man