sports
Southampton appeal against expulsion from playoffs for spying is dismissed
Saints believe penalty is ‘manifestly disproportionate’
TL;DR
- Southampton's appeal against expulsion from the Championship playoff final for spying has been dismissed.
- An English Football League arbitration panel upheld the original decision to deduct four points from Southampton next season.
- The club admitted to spying on training sessions of Middlesbrough, Ipswich, and Oxford.
- Manager Tonda Eckert's position is considered untenable, and players are reportedly angry about missed promotion bonuses.
- Southampton argued the sporting sanction was disproportionate compared to previous precedents, citing Leeds' £200,000 fine for a similar offense.
- The article references Fifa's ban and points deduction for Canada Women's team for spying as an international precedent.
- Hull owner Acun Ilicali suggested Hull should be promoted automatically if the playoff final was abandoned.