Kim Hellberg and Tonda Eckert separated by officials after Southampton player accused of ‘making discriminatory comments’ at opponent

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg and Southampton manager Tonda Eckert had to be kept apart on the sidelines during a tense showdown.

The Championship play-off semi-final tie between the two sides has been overshadowed by a Spygate scandal after Saints were charged for allegedly having someone watch Middlesbrough‘s training in the build-up to last week’s first leg.

Sky Sports

The incident happened with Boro leading 1-0 on the night and in the tie thanks to Riley McGree’s early goal.

Luke Ayling was adjudged to have committed a rather soft foul, it boiled over in the technical area.

Sky Sports are now reporting that Saints captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis is adjudged to have used ‘discriminatory language’ towards Ayling.

The referee is set to report it in full at full time.

But before that, the referee went over to the sidelines to speak with both managers before having to keep the two apart as they continued to have crossed words despite the situation being calmed down.

McGree’s goal was then cancelled out by Ross Stewart just before half time, so the teams are level on the night and in the tie after a goalless draw in the first leg at the Riverside Stadium.

Carnage

When it was revealed that Middlesbrough were going to play Southampton, it was expected to be a good tie.

Both sides are known for free-flowing football, but no one could have predicted what has happened.

The EFL have officially charged the Saints with a breach of regulations amid allegations a member of staff spied on Boro ahead of the first leg at the Riverside.

In a statement, the EFL said: “Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission,” the EFL statement read.

“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. ”

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In response, Eckert walked out of his post-match press conference after the first game.

He was adamant that he had answered the question, with the press officer having to step in before the German left.

In response, Hellberg accused the Saints of cheating.

Fiery

It is a totally crazy situation that Simon Jordan fears could get worse if Southampton were to win.

Speaking on White and Jordan, he said: “In my mind, I think they’re guilty of a person either being directly instructed by someone in the Southampton organisation or someone that has operated in a way that has benefitted Southampton in one way or another.

“I don’t think the chairman or chief executive are involved, but I certainly think the football operation is. That’s my view.

“That then means that there has to be some degree of relationship between the two clubs to either find a solution or you’re going to have a nuclear explosion.

“Based on Southampton’s statement, I think you’re probably going to have a nuclear explosion from Middlesbrough.”

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Not an isolated incident

Incredibly, this might not be the first time Southampton have done this, with several EFL clubs now watching CCTV footage to determine if they are also victims.

talkSPORT understands the Saints aren’t going to contest the EFL charge that a member of staff filmed a Middlesbrough train9ing session.

This has led top suspicions that it isn’t an isolated incident.

Within this tie, both sets of fans have been spotted with binoculars, and both sets of teams were booed on their arrivals to the respective stadiums.