Middlesbrough fans welcome Southampton with a chant about their Spygate antics this week, with has seen the Saints charged by the EFL.
Large crowds of Boro fans waited outside the Riverside Stadium for the arrival of the team coach ahead of the Championship playoff semi-final first leg against Southampton.
As Southampton turned up, they were met with loud boos and chants of ‘we know what you, you cheating bastards’. Players came off trying to keep focus on the game and not let the noise distract them.
🎥 Full video as Saints bus arrives at Boro to chants of ‘cheating bastards’. #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/A40gUmKS1C
— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) May 9, 2026
“You cheating b*stards, we know what you are” bellow #Boro fans as #SaintsFC arrive at the Riverside pic.twitter.com/Jv8yWv8vyT
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) May 9, 2026
Southampton’s arrival unfortunately won’t make Gazette Boro channels… Can’t think why 🤷 #Boro pic.twitter.com/qZjKC7DxVD
— Craig Johns (@craig_johns) May 9, 2026
Cheating sailor bastards. #utfb pic.twitter.com/ltltnwL7yJ
— Frank ‘The Cat’ Horsley ⚽️ (@FrankHorsley67) May 9, 2026
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert speaking to Sky Sports about spygate:
“I believe the club has made a statement. That’s all I can say at the moment.
“I believe when you arrive in this moment of the season it’s not coaches who win games, it’s the players. It’s going to be the same today.
“We are focussed on ourselves and we have been all week. We know that we face a very good team today. It’s going to be a big challenge.
“We’ve been consistent with confidence and humility. We always play to win, that hasn’t changed. We will try to do the same today.”
Middlesbrough’s Kim Hellberg:
“It’s not affected our build up. We have done what we should have done before this type of game. We’ve watched every Southampton game there is, trying to find solutions to beat them – how they press, how they build up. Putting every hour towards getting the advantage to win, in the right way.
“We’re motivated. We’re going to do everything we can to win the game. It’s a new game. I believe in my players. We’re going to try to win the game fair.”
Tonda Eckert reacts to Southampton being charged with a breach of EFL regulations after a member of staff was alleged to have spied on Middlesbrough’s training 💭 pic.twitter.com/X3Oh9fxYF1
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 9, 2026
“We’re going to do everything we can to win the game fair” 🗣️
Kim Hellberg looks ahead to Middlesbrough’s play-off semi-final first leg against Southampton 👀 pic.twitter.com/LagdJ8HQ6d
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 9, 2026
EFL issued a new statement on Friday:
Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.
This follows a request from the EFL for the Club’s observations after a complaint from Middlesbrough relating to alleged unauthorised filming on private property ahead of the two Clubs meeting in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg.
The charges relate to the following Regulations:
EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires Clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith; and
EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any Club from observing, or attempting to observe, another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two Clubs.
Under EFL Regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges. However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to shorten the response period and to list a hearing at the earliest opportunity
The League will make no further comment whilst proceedings are ongoing.
Southampton FC have said: “SFC acknowledges the statement issued by the EFL in relation to alleged breaches of EFL Regulations. We can confirm that we will be fully cooperating with the League throughout this process. Given the ongoing nature of the matter, the club is unable to comment any further at this time.”
EFL issue statement after Middlesbrough report Southampton for alleged spying on training session
STATEMENT FROM CLEVELAND POLICE:
On Saturday 9 May Middlesbrough Football Club will host Southampton FC at the Riverside Stadium which begins at 12.30pm.
Officers expect there to be plenty of fans in and around the stadium and town centre prior to, during and after the match has finished.
During these times, fans will see a highly visible policing presence including uniformed and non-uniformed officers and specialist drug dogs. This is to protect and ensure the safety of everyone who is there to attend and support the match. It will also enable officers to respond to reports of disorder that could take place.
To ensure the safety of everyone in the stadium, there will be specialist drug detection and pyrotechnic dogs who will work alongside officers for any searches that may take place to prevent prohibited items from entering the stadium.
To assist in the safety of fans and to deter disorder and anti-social behaviour, a dispersal order will be in place from 8am on Saturday 9 May until 8am on Sunday 10 May.
It will cover the following areas River Tees Deepwater Wharf, Cargo Fleet Lane (A171), Longlands Road (A1085), Marton Road, Park Road South, Valley Road onto Cumberland Road, Devonshire Road, Roman Road, Ayresome Green Lane, Heywood Street (A1032), Newport Bridge Approach Road (A1032), Newport Bridge, River Tees.
These are outlined in the map below.
PC Chris Hilton, part of Cleveland Police’s football operations, said: “While the majority of footballs fans have the intention of coming to or supporting the match safely and responsibly, it is important we have officers in and around the stadium and town centre to provide reassurance and respond to disorder or criminal behaviour.
“I want to take this opportunity to remind fans that searches may take place for pyrotechnics or drugs and those in possession of them will be dealt with appropriately and there will be a dispersal order in place as a precaution.
“In the meantime, I hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe time.”
If you have information relating to disorder or criminal activity, please either call 101 or visit our website.
You can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
