Dman

Well, if the EFL aren't arguing / pushing for the necular option, is it likley that the panel would enforce it?

Yep. A points deduction & fine, whilst doesn't benefit boro in the immediate term (shouuld it anyway??), is something that can be consistently applied. They're not going to kick a side out of the leauge for it.

£10m and refused the right to play in the final....?

I think we will get removed from final only because its got to epic proportions with Middlesbrough having too much influence over EFL and the panel will not be impartial due to all the incorrect facts, assumptions on Saints being such an organised spying outfit during season and applying football tactics to suit each team. Boro have too much power plus with other teams they influence like the clubs thet have named as been spied on. The papers, media, pundits and Sky have had lots of time to present the case on behalf of Boro and anyone else that Saints shouldn't be in final. There is no counter news reports or anything from Saints. Its all very quiet on our side. The 3 people on panel will be influenced by what the see and hear and its very unlikely they will just look at what extent the affect of spying was on Saints season or the 2 leg semi final. The 2nd leg went ahead and Boro should have refused to play but they went ahead with it and that's now caused the who should be in final.

There is no way in hell they'll get through an appeal process in time for a game to be played on tuesday or wednesday.

I beleive they did... That's how these things work innit?

They clearly used his bank details to get his name, linked that to a linked in profile and found the photo on the website for good measure.

its also not a breach of their rules. So they'd be applying a punishment for a rule that doesn't exist.

Stop listening to them. They're on a wind up and don't know anymore than we do

yeah, I mean that was an incredibly stupid thing to do.

have they got anything right in the whole process so far?

If he did, that would be pretty easy to prove you'd think and I think the case would almsot certinly be thrown out. I did find Tonda's comment "Its hard for me not to talk, I want to and will do at some point" interesting... I suspect its along the lines of this is normal practice in italy, germany etc. but will be interesting to hear what he has to say once all is done.

We'd have gone up friday.

your point to counter the claim that you're not supposed to comment during an investigation was that they have used the press. I was demonstrating that not only have the used the press, they have also commented as well.

yeah... apart from their manager said it to Sky Sports and they have released a statement through their offical channels.

They are. I had a look when it came out they might be one of the clubs we were looking at. Honestly, even more accessible than Boro's. You could easily look through the fence from the public pavement out the front.

I can't see how a ban would be feasible if we are promoted. Who would apply the ban? How can you ban someone who hasn't breached any of your rules? i.e the FA or PL?

*** Risk of becoming that meme where Kirk from Corrie lookalike is handing his season ticket back *** I honestly think If the club sack anyone* off the back of this, they will lose me as a fan. I will not put a penny more into the club. *Other than the intern if he needs to be the fall guy. He deserves it for 1. being absolutley useless at hiding himself. 2. Not being more savvy when caught to play down the issue as a memeber of the public. 3. He'll be alright, he'll get a decent pay out.

Is it though? Other than boro fans & jurnos who've been employeed by the club to blow this up, the general feeling I'm getting is "it's a daft thing to do, fine them and move on". I think them releasing the photo was an own goal. It's made it a bit of a joke over anything serious. You get 2/3 clubs a year breaching FFP rules (cheating), how many of those suffer a knock on sponsorship impact?

You reckon? Come August, it'll all be forgotten.

Perhaps I have less intregrity than you, but I really do not think this is a big deal at all. I acknowledge its breaking the rules and therefore constitutes to 'cheating' by definition, but I am putting this in the same level of cheating as diving, wasting time etc. The fact this is only a rule in the EFL and nowehere else in the world demonstrates the level of (or shall I say lack of) seriousness around the issue. Talk of sacking the manager is ludicrous.

I also think its probably very unlikley that we would have stepped onto private land (or shall I say not publicly accessible) to spy. Therefore, obtaining any CCTV or evidence might prove to be too much hassel for what will likley be very small gains.

No chance the club sack either Spors or Tonda, unless they are essentially made to.

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.