Dman

I think on balance of probability, its not. Proving that is another thing however.. especially if the evidence is "we have a written statement from a ex-employee who was sacked" and no other clubs have come forward. How far do the EFL want to take this? Who would even apply the ban in the event we go up? We've not breached any PL or FA rules How long would be considered a reasonable ban? 3 games, 3 months, 3 years? I just can't see it. Just more speculation comong from NE jurnos. One thing from this I have learned.... Boro have an incredible amount of leaks.

That chant of "Are you watching Middlesbrough" from 35k saints on Saturday is going to be soo fucking beautiful.

Nope. Absolutely the worst thing we could have done in this situation. We have handled it fantastically.

Yeah they hate Azaz for leaving their nothing club as well. Odd bunch.

If true I hope he chins him

If the commision are meeting today, how long would we usually expect the hearing to take? Fairly heavy in terms out potential outcome here, so guessing it will be next week before anything comes out

Genuinely reckon its all just a big wind up from them at this stage. Fair play to them though, they have me rattled.

I mean it wouldn't matter, we've sill clearly breached the rule.. However, if they were to use that as an example of 'sporting advantage', then yes - that might play a factor for mitigation.

Another reason to fuck off VAR by the way. opens up these sort of debates.

Honestly, at this point I don't even care anymore. Just getting there is 2 fingers up to Boro and a win in my book. I've that much anger towards their bitterness I am willing to be that petty.

Wembely, the week after us.

So their case will be; "here is our evidence they spied upon us [inserts copious amounts of potentially illegally obtained evidence (CCTV / Bank details from a 3rd party company)] We beleive that this is premeditated and not their first rodeo [inserts a witness statement]" again without sounding like a broken drum, none of that proves we have done it before. Might so intent to, but doesn't show that we've done it

Right, hear me out here.... Boro will be there as nothing more than a witness. Therefore, they can only present facts they personally observed and cannot speculate... Therefore, does that make all of the 'evidence' they have gather useless (unless another clubs comes forward - which would result in anotehr EFL charge)?

This is not helping our case that it wasn't professional surveillance footage.... 😂

Wasn't there reports pretty early on that they suspected we were tipped off by someone who knew that they had reduced security... No don't get carried away with this story. It would be absolute gold if it transpired to be the case...

Thought of the day. Does a witness statment (and lets assume some form of paperwork leading back to Spors) from an ex employee stating that we have asked them to scout opponents training, matter all that much if there is no evidence that we've actually done it before (within the 72 hour window)?

Thank god for that.

A question I'd almost certainly be highlighting as a mitigation point, if I was the club: Are the EFL pushing for a disproportionate sanction here (we don't really know what they are pushing for at this stage)? If so has that been influence by: 1. The fact the EFL have a committee memeber who is also on the board of Middlesbrough. Therefore highlighting a significant conflict of interest. 2. The media campaign clearly whipped up by Middlesbrough. Even the local MP applying pressure pubically during an ongoing investigation.

Can we park this utter nonsense that the EFL are going to carry out forensic investigations on our technology. Its utter nonsense that they couldn't do even if they wanted to.

There is a world outside of middlesbrough mate, a bloody nice one as well. You should try it.

what sort of legal battles would that open? Millwall would have a case as the 3rd best side this season.

So game is planned to go ahead but subject to change - that change would be in the event we are kicked out and therefore appeal. That appeal process would then surely take it to a point where playing the final is into world cup territory and not possible.. EFL saving face by essentially keeping everything on the table, whilst realistically knowing everything isn't on the table? Or am I reading into something that isn't there

Its utter mental. Honestly, the Boro PR team have played a blinder. Everyone has forgotten how they finished the season and all focus is now on how much of a hero HellBerg is for surving through such a difficult time of his life.

I don't disagree. Basically I couldnt really care about it. Its breakig the rules, yes, but so is diving, time wasting etc. Its sneaky, in any other league across the world its not against the rules, the EFL introduced it after being bitten before. If you think its anything more than that, youre either a Boro fan or a complete sap.

Whilst I agree it is against the EFL rules, and do think its all blown way out of proportion. You need to be incredibly naive to beleive the lone wolf theory.