Fans react with Taylor Harwood-Bellis regretful over his Spygate taunts at Middlesbrough players earlier this month.
Roy Keane’s son-in-law, has said sorry as his antics during the playoff semi final come back to haunt now that the Saints have been expelled from the playoff final and handed a four point deduction for next season after admitting to spying on opposition this season.
The Southampton defender was also accused of mocking Luke Ayling’s speech impediment during the second leg against Middlesbrough prompting a stoppage in play.
But Luke Ayling has since told the FA that he does not wish to pursue an allegation that Taylor Harwood-Bellis made a discriminatory remark towards him.
The matter also now closed after reviewing the referee’s report and speaking to the player.
The Saints failed with an appeal to be reinstated in the playoffs, arguing that the decision was ‘manifestly disproportionate‘.
The original decision has been upheld, meaning Middlesbrough will now face Hull City in the Championship playoff final on Saturday, with kick-off at 3.30pm.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis on Instagram. #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/MqUyI39BnN
— Just Saints (@JustSaints_) May 21, 2026
Southampton captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis appeared to mock a Middlesbrough player with a binoculars celebration amid allegations that Saints were spying on Boro training before their play-off clash 😬 pic.twitter.com/Mie18LQMlQ
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) May 14, 2026
Following news the club has been punished, Taylor Harwood-Bellis wrote via social media: “It’s been nothing but an honour to walk this team out and represent every fan watching in the stands, so it feels right that I speak to you guys directly about what has unfolded this week. As players, we are absolutely gutted, disappointed, and heartbroken that it’s come to this.
“We worked so hard as a group to provide the football that you fans deserve. For those of us involved in the relegation, it only fuelled our comeback. We knew what it felt like to play in the Premier League, and we were driven by the belief that we could bring that back to you all.
“I’d also like to put on record that, had I known the severity of the situation, I would never have done what I did on the pitch. In the moment, it was meant as a bit of fun in a situation that we as players were not informed about.
“As fans, you’ve been unbelievable. Our unbeaten run was driven by your passionate support. We didn’t start the season strongly, yet you still stood by us and believed in every single one of us.
“We can be proud that we battled through a tough Championship season together, and I’ll always be grateful for the support you gave us every step of the way. Thank you. Enjoy your summer, Saints.”
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Fans react with Taylor Harwood-Bellis regretful over his Spygate taunts at Middlesbrough players…
@ClarkeAllen2504: Grovelling prick, he knew severity of it, but thought get away with it, how did that work out for ya 🔔 end
@pjcboro: Trying to save his skin. He knew what he was doing.
@Coyredsbcfc: You would think anyone with half a brain would understand the severity of mocking a fellow player about their stammer but he still did that
@ozymandiasJH: He didn’t know the severity of it? Granted we all assumed the guy was thick as two short planks by watching his disgraceful antics but it’s still hard to believe he’s this dense.
@john959379: ‘Bit of fun’ – taking piss out of your fellow professionals – no sorry. There’s something called respect. (Not forgetting what he said to Ayling as well.) So Karma & enjoy life in the championship.
@ko_kiano: “Abit of fun” aye. Another season in the championship will be abit of fun too
@Hezza_Saint: Nice sentiment but sadly it sets him up for a move away by apologising for his actions 😬
@Matthew_e52: What a guy. Gave it his all. Would love to see him stay for 1 more year but sadly just don’t see it. That message isn’t a definitive goodbye unlike Matsuki’s was, but it seems fairly likely #saintsfc
@davidrelph75: As a captain you should lead by example. Takes the piss out of Ayling, does the binocular gesture on that goal and stamps on a blokes hand this season in a previous game. He should hand the armband in as he’s clearly not captain material
@LindaKosylo: It wasn’t a bit of fun it was gloating.
@AGroundsss: What a load of crap this statement. Didn’t know the severity of it 🤣🤣🤣
@foreversaint__: Again, this is on Tonda, Spors and Parsons. They knew they had spied but they did not brief the players not to do the binoculars celebration. It gets worse every minute.
@swinnybottom: Bullshit. He expects everyone to believe after days of non stop coverage and the hostile atmosphere at the ground that he didn’t know of the severity? Absolute bollocks.
@AndrewB05166665: Got what he deserved for that reaction to their goal. Showed a real lack of class