'It breaks my heart': Boro boss Hellberg launches stinging attack as spygate scandal reaches fever pitch
The fallout from Southampton’s 2-1 extra-time victory over Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off semi-final has intensified, with Boro manager Kim Hellberg delivering a scathing assessment of the alleged spying scandal that has overshadowed the tie.
”It breaks my heart”
In an emotional post-match press conference, the Middlesbrough manager did not hold back in his criticism of Southampton’s alleged conduct.
“I worked 15 years as a coach, trying to get to the Premier League. That’s my dream for 15 years,” Hellberg said.
“I know there are clubs with bigger resources or parachute payments that can spend more money. There are teams that have bigger squads than us, teams that have more money to spend. What you have as a coach and a group is the tactical element of the game where we can beat the opponent and I think that’s what everyone loves about the game.
“That’s why I look at England and think it’s the home of football, where I want to be, what I’m dreaming about. You’re so proud of your football and I think that’s absolutely amazing, that’s why I wanted to be here.
“When you have done that and, for a week or two weeks up to this game, put every second away from your family to watch Southampton every game you can to try to gain the advantage that we can actually get, if we wouldn’t have caught that man they sent up on a five-hour drive, you would sit there and say, well done, maybe, in the tactical aspect of the game and I would go home and feel like I had failed in that aspect I had to help my players with.
“When that is taken away from you in that way, when someone decides: ‘No, we’re not going to watch every game. We’ll send someone instead and film the session and see everything and hope we don’t get caught’. I guess that was why they were switching clothes and all those things.
“It breaks my heart in terms of all those things I believe in. That’s the thing.
“I don’t care if there are other rules in different countries. This is England where football is the biggest thing. That’s my feelings about it. I think it’s disgraceful. It makes me very sad.”
Hellberg declined to answer whether he believed Southampton manager Tonda Eckert was aware of the alleged spying operation, stating simply: “I cannot answer. No comment.”
The charge and potential punishments
The EFL has charged Southampton with breaching two rules:
- Rule 3.4: Clubs must always deal with each other “in good faith”
- Rule 127: Expressly prohibits any club from observing, or attempting to observe, another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match
The Sky Sports report detailed the range of outcomes available to the independent commission:
- Charge dismissed - If insufficient evidence is found
- Slap on the wrist - Minimal sanction
- Monetary fine - Financial penalty without sporting impact
- Sporting sanction - Points deduction or other competitive penalty
- Exclusion from play-offs - Southampton could be thrown out and denied promotion
The commission could also choose to impose a sanction held over to the start of next season rather than affecting this season’s outcome.
The timeline pressure
With the Championship play-off final scheduled for Saturday, May 23 at Wembley - where Southampton will face Hull City - the commission is under significant time pressure.
Sky Sports News has been told the EFL and commission are aware there are three teams with a vested interest in the resolution: Southampton, Middlesbrough and Hull. Fan ticket sales, travel, and other logistics need organising in good time.
The commission is understood to be “fully aware of the expediency needed” but the matter remains outside the EFL’s direct control.
The Harwood-Bellis incident
The semi-final second leg at St Mary’s was also marred by a separate controversy involving Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Referee Andy Madley stopped play in the first-half after Middlesbrough’s Luke Ayling reported that words exchanged with Harwood-Bellis were of a discriminatory nature.
Sky Sports reporter Jonathan Oakes said: “There were words exchanged between Luke Ayling and Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Ayling says the words that Harwood-Bellis used towards him were of a discriminatory nature, and other players around heard the comment as well.
“It prompted the referee Andy Madley to speak to both managers. Madley says he will be reporting the incident.”
Both managers were spoken to during the delay, with the incident now set to be reviewed by the relevant authorities.
The managerial clash
The tie was also heated on the touchline, with Southampton boss Tonda Eckert and Hellberg requiring separation during a fiery exchange.
Eckert has now walked out of two press conferences in the space of four days over spygate questions - first after Saturday’s goalless first leg at the Riverside, and again after Tuesday’s second leg when a journalist asked: “Are you a cheat?”
The Southampton press officer swiftly ended the briefing, telling the journalist to “show some respect.”
What’s next?
Southampton remain in a state of limbo as they prepare for the biggest game of their season. The club has confirmed tickets for the Wembley final will go on sale on Thursday, but the cloud of uncertainty remains over whether they will be allowed to compete.
The independent commission’s decision will determine not only Southampton’s immediate future but also the credibility of the competition’s integrity.