Should Southampton be kicked out of the play-offs? Spygate scandal splits opinion on talkSPORT

It’s a debate that will be rumbling on for the foreseeable future – should Southampton be kicked out of the play-offs?

The Saints booked their place in the Championship play-off final on Tuesday night, just days after being charged by the EFL.

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They breached regulations after one of their analysts was caught allegedly spying at Middlesbrough’s training ground.

Since the charge, Southampton‘s CEO has released a statement to say the club are ‘fully cooperating with the EFL and the Disciplinary Commission’ and that an internal review has been launched.

It remains unclear what punishment could come their way – and Middlesbrough are thought to be preparing for the play-off final just in case.

And talkSPORT understands that multiple Championship clubs are studying footage to see whether they have been victims of any Saints spies, so evidence may soon increase.

The EFL are now in a tough position following Southampton’s 1-0 play-off victory over Middlesbrough, as calls for them to be kicked out of the upcoming final in place of Boro are rising.

However, that certainly won’t be simple and it’s something that has majorly split opinion between fans and talkSPORT’s pundits…

‘No chance’ Southampton get kicked out

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast on Wednesday morning, Gabby Agbonlahor labelled a potential expulsion as ‘too much’.

The ex-Aston Villa star said: “I don’t agree with it. It’s overkill.

“I get it, Spygate, it’s not on. But what would they really learn from watching Middlesbrough training? That’s why it’s so bizarre from Southampton. What are you going to learn that you can’t see in every video of Middlesbrough’s games this season?

“They’re by far the better team for me, it’s very odd.”

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“They say there’s a chance of Middlesbrough going [into the play-off final], it’s not going to happen,” Agbonlahor added. “It’s too much of a short turnaround.

“Southampton players haven’t done anything, fans haven’t done anything, it’s the club, the manager that’s allowed that to happen.

“A massive fine and move on, I don’t think you can start saying Boro get the final or Hull go straight up.”

If Southampton are guilty, remove them

Many may share Agbonlahor’s thoughts on the matter, but talkSPORT host and journalist Henry Winter is in the opposite camp.

“I don’t think it’s a grey area,” Winter began on Breakfast. “It depends on how we want to play sport in this country.

“Kim Hellberg has coached Middlesbrough in the right way, and to think that someone was spying on them…

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“If that link [between the individual spying and the club] is proved, then Southampton should absolutely face the full force of what the EFL and the independent commission throw at them.

“Leeds United had a £200,000 fine. A fine is irrelevant, clubs are wealthy, they can deal with it, there’s so much at stake.”

When discussing what punishment could be handed out, he continued: “Imagine if you’re a coach like Hellberg, he’s given anything to get into the Premier League.

“Southampton deserved to go up, but I think that sanction is there and I think there is a chance [of removal from the play-offs].

“Saints will get their lawyers on and there may be a bit of delaying the process, but what does Hellberg go and do now?

“I hope they go to the training ground – check the bushes – and actually go and train in the hope they can get to Wembley and that I think justice does prevail.”