Wembley Way has once again been flooded with football fans from every corner of the leagues, all dreaming of seeing their team immortalised on that iconic turf. For rugby league's elite, that same shot at immortality comes around every single year.
Saints believe penalty is ‘manifestly disproportionate’Hull and Middlesbrough will meet in final on SaturdaySouthampton’s appeal against their expulsion from the Championship playoff final for spying on opponents’ training sessions has been dismissed by an English Football League arbitration panel, leaving Middlesbrough to contest Saturday’s Wembley showpiece with Hull. The panel also confirmed the original decision of an independent disciplinary commission to deduct four Championship points from Southampton next season.It is a verdict that leaves the position of Tonda Eckert, the south coast club’s manager, seemingly untenable. While the 33-year-old German faces the sack, Southampton directors are facing the wrath of players furious at missing out on potential promotion bonuses and wage hikes. Continue reading...
Club admit breaches but are confident over appealBoro reinstated to take on Hull in Saturday’s finalSouthampton could face a legal claim from their players for loss of earnings after the club were expelled from the Championship playoff final for spying on training sessions staged by Middlesbrough and two other second-tier teams this season.The squad have been discussing their options after Boro, semi-final losers to Southampton, were reinstated to Saturday’s Wembley showpiece against Hull. It is understood there is widespread fury in Southampton’s dressing room, presenting the club with another headache after a fraught period. Continue reading...
