Dman

which in itself is dodgy ground. However, I would be asking - how did they get his name in the first place? There is no way anyone knew his name just from a photo or CCT. As far as I'm aware he wasn't on the clubs offical site. I'd be amazed if they (middlesbrough) haven't used his card details to positively identify him.

The thing I find strange about all of this is that if that was a PL fixture, its not against the rules and we therefore aren't considered 'cheats'. That surely has to have some impact in the mitigation.

Does it matter though? it would still be a rule breach (much like only using an iphone is). I guess it helps our arguement for mitigation.

Not really SR - but we certainly seem to have gained a bit of 'edge / housery' about us since Parsons arrived. I like it.

Maybe saints tainted glasses here, but I think there is a world where the EFL want this cleared up ASAP so they might have said to saints... If you agree to an expedited process, we will remove explusion from the table. Keeps everyone happy in that case.

"Kim Hellberg, we all watched you cry"

My thoughts; 1. We have released them knowing that expulsion is off the cards and got a bit of a slap on the wrist from the EFL, who want to look as if it is for now. 2. We've done it to try and apply pressure to the EFL (as boro have been doing). Although I don't really think that achieves anything and just makes us look a little silly.

In the unlikley event of them replacing us in the PO final, please round up as many people as possible and spend the week 'spying on thier training sessions' Extra points if you can get some footage and leak it online (or send to Hull). As a member of the public filming in a public place, there is nothing they can do about it 😃

Yep. Ignore the leaks, they're clearly nonsense.

He can personally, but he cannot use data from 1 company to assist with another... surely.

Hmmm not true unfortunately. They could argue that they have a legal right to the footage due to it assisting with there soon to be legal case.

Possibly.... But how have they got his name? There is no way your idenitifying a random bloke from that photo alone. As far as I'm aware, he's not on the club site. Possibly linked-in? Circumstantial at best.

As far as I am aware, they are all individual companies. Thus this is a serious breach of personal data (from the hotel)

Well exactly. If they have, I suspect Mr Gibson is in a world for trouble.

yeah, we'll 100% get found guilty. Its a case of mitigation now though. I don't think I've seen anything o suggest that this is anywhere near as serious as they are pushing for. I also think they have walked a very tight rope and we have a number of cases we could potentially persue against them. This whole GDPR breach from the hotel feels like a bit of a smoking gun.

you'd also assume that the act of watching is enough anyway.

I'm sure they have some smart people on the case, but its honestly mind-blowing how they think this can be a sensible strategy.

This is another thing that crossed my mind. Surely, they aren't allowed to just share CCTV or bank details with anyone 😃

From what I have seen (obviously needs a degree of salt), we have claimed it was a lone wofl with no knowledge from the club. If it cannot be proven it was a conspiracy that came from the manager and/or someone else at the club, he has insinuated that it is "they sent someone". That for me, is libelous - or at least arguably is.

Its always struck me that them opening their mouths as they have done is a risky game that I think will bite them on the arse. You could possibly hide it through press releases, but when they manager has pubically said "they sent someone up here" (to cheat essentially), whilst the investigaton is ongoing, is touching on libel I'd say.

yep. There is no way we've sanctioned anyone to break into a training ground. If it was true that thye have evidence (not sure I beleive it), Pompey would defo be one i'd think that we might have spied on. There training ground is less secure than Boro's

I wouldn't beleive any of this nonsense tbh. Unless the independent investigator is blabbering (unlikley), its all PR being pushed by them.

Too late for that. He had his chance and he went blabbering to the press, which would make us paying it off unfeasible at this stage. If he'd rang up saints saying I've caught you doing this - I want x for this to not go to the EFL, we might have played ball.

Did Scienza get injured?

This, for me, is a huge mitigation. Sneaking in to a private area and hiding in bushes is one thing and would rightly deserve an incredibly harsh punishment. Standing behind a publically accessible fence and peeping over is much, much less serious.