trousers

Much like I can't understand why some cannot grasp that it's possible to compare the crime separately to the rules and punishments.... If I murder someone in country A and country B, its still murder whether country A has a rule that imprisons me for 20 years and country B has a different rule that hands down a death penalty. Ergo, I'll continue to compare Eckert's and Bielsa's crimes.

The EFL.... ergo, good question! Wouldn't it be 'interesting' if the Middlesbrough CEO (and EFL board member) was involved in the tender process for choosing the company that supplies independent panel members for the EFL...? We're all unhinged I tell you... UNHINGED!!!

ItS bECAusE tHe RuLeS ChaNGeD!!!!!

No, Sport Resolutions chose the panel members

....and pray 🙏

And they've both just started tweeting again, within minutes of each other... coincidence? Been behind the scenes taking to / being briefed by the club...?

A member of the independent disciplinary commission that expelled Saints from the Championship play-offs has dismissed claims of bias. David Winnie addressed some social media commentary, stemming from his brief spell playing for Middlesbrough more than three decades ago. Winnie, a former footballer turned solicitor, made a single appearance for Boro 33 years ago, and was one of three panel members on Tuesday. Saints were ruled out of the play-offs after the club was found to have spied on a Boro training session before the first leg of their semi-final. On Friday, Winnie told PA: "The suggestion that a single appearance for Middlesbrough Football Club more than three decades ago could in any way influence my judgment as a member of an independent disciplinary commission is wholly without foundation. "My involvement with the club consisted of one professional appearance approximately 33 years ago and has no bearing whatsoever on my ability to approach these proceedings impartially and objectively. "As with all commission members, my duty was to consider only the evidence, the applicable EFL regulations, and the submissions advanced by the parties. "The decision reached was unanimous and followed detailed legal argument, documentary evidence, witness testimony and careful deliberation by an experienced independent panel. "At no stage was any issue raised by either party regarding my independence or suitability to sit on the commission. "Had there been any legitimate basis for concern, the appropriate procedures existed for that to be addressed before the hearing proceeded. "Professional integrity in these proceedings is paramount. My role was to uphold the integrity of the competition and apply the regulations fairly, without fear or favour, and that is precisely what the commission did." It has also been raised that the law firm of another panellist, Lydia Banerjee, Littleton Chambers, was in 2018 contracted by Middlesbrough to represent them in cases relating to Garry Monk's dismissal and a contractual claim. Records show barristers from Littleton Chambers represented both sides of the dispute across two cases, while Banerjee appears to have no direct link. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing. With respect to the composition of the independent disciplinary commission, panel members are appointed by an external body - Sport Resolutions. Guidance to panel members covers when matters may constitute a conflict, with only work or other links in the past three years ordinarily considered. All parties - the EFL and Saints - were deemed to know the matters and had an opportunity to raise objections to the panel members, without doing so. The EFL declined to comment on the matter. Saints have been approached. Other observations related to the charge noted Middlesbrough chairman Neil Bausor's position on the EFL's board of directors since July 2021. Bausor did not attend board briefings on the matter, nor did he receive any papers issued. He was also not involved in any of the proceedings. This is standard practice in respect of conflicts of interest. The commission found Saints head coach Tonda Eckert authorised spying at Boro, and earlier visits to training sessions held by Oxford and Ipswich. The commission said it was “particularly deplorable” that junior staff were delegated to carry out the observations, with the intern caught at Boro’s training session telling the commission he felt pressured to do it. Winnie, the partner and head of sports at Gilson Gray LLP, acknowledged that the commission’s decision would have “serious ramifications” across football, but added: “The commission’s duty was not to consider popularity, reputation or consequence in isolation, but to uphold the integrity of the competition and apply the regulations fairly, independently and without fear or favour. “The commission unanimously concluded that the conduct in question represented a deliberate and organised attempt to obtain a competitive advantage in breach of fundamental principles of sporting integrity and good faith. “Football depends upon public trust. Supporters, clubs, players and stakeholders must have confidence that competitions are conducted on a level playing field. “This outcome reflects the seriousness with which the commission viewed repeated breaches of the regulations, particularly within the context of one of the most financially and competitively significant competitions in English football. The message is clear: cheating, in any form, has no place in the game and will not be tolerated. “Whilst the sanctions imposed are severe, the commission considered them necessary, proportionate and essential to protect the integrity and credibility of English football moving forward.”

P.s. just spotted a typo in my post above.... Apologies for the erroneous 'r' in 'proxy'....

Steady... you're in danger of straying back into "unhinged" territory here....

Is this the guy?

Says the club under sanctions for financial irregularities....