Welcome to the summer of the asterisk.
Manchester City remain alive and kicking in the Premier League title race but if whispers in the game of a June resolution to their “115” charges case prove to be true, that will soon be overshadowed by events elsewhere.
Ditto the so-called “richest game in football”, the Championship play-off final, which has been rocked by a “Spygate”‘ row that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
It is alleged and has not yet been denied by Southampton that a spy from the South Coast club was spotted at Middlesbrough’s training ground last week, collecting details on their rivals’ final preparations for the play-off semi-finals.
The details feel like a James Bond movie – the perpetrator hurriedly changing clothes before dashing off amid incredulity in the Teessiders’ camp – but this could be one where the “bad guys” end up winning.
Boro will not let the matter go, with owner Steve Gibson ready to vigorously pursue the case. They want a chance to present their findings to the EFL, which includes CCTV footage and a dossier with other explosive claims. Nick De Marco, the “Lionel Messi” of sports lawyers, has been retained by Boro, who are pushing for expulsion.
Legal experts contacted by The i Paper this morning feel talk of a final resolution in time for next week’s Wembley date is unrealistic though.
While the EFL want the process expedited, shortening Southampton’s usual 14 days to respond to Friday’s charges in order to get the matter dealt with, it is now in the hands of an independent commission. And they do not move quickly: just ask the Premier League and City.
Can a hearing be convened, Southampton and the EFL’s counsel heard, and a verdict delivered that is legally watertight in 10 days? “No chance,” said one source who has worked on these matters before.
He points out that even with three members of the panel working day and night, there are procedures to go through to ensure everyone is fairly treated. If it is rushed it leaves them open to losing an appeal and then what? Southampton reinstated to a play-off final that they were thrown out of sometime in July? It’s a mess.
In reality the timeline is tighter: it’s understood Boro want to know by the end of the weekend where they stand. This Thursday is a long-scheduled end of season debrief for their players which will take place as planned. But beyond that?
The club have players with a World Cup to prepare for, the logistics of selling and distributing Wembley tickets to take on and training plans to sort out. The timeline feels far too tight to get all of this ticked off.
There is also the small matter of Hull City, who are currently planning to play Southampton. Is it fair on them if they are suddenly faced with a very different challenge just a few days out from Wembley? Tigers sources are keeping their counsel at the moment but expect them to have something to say if it is left too late.
The most likely scenario at this stage is that Southampton play Hull on 23 May with the cloud of suspicion still hanging over the South Coast club and a possible punishment lingering into next season. That would leave Boro licking their wounds and surely contemplating further legal action.
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None of it is good enough. If time was on their side, Southampton might be in a lot more trouble. Discovering top secret information in the days before a game is clearly a huge advantage, and they should be thrown out if it is proved.
But with the clock ticking, the only thing certain is that the Championship play-offs will have a massive asterisk next to them.
