Angry Oxford United fans react to Southampton ‘Spygate’

Saints were kicked out of the Championship play-off final and deducted four points for next season after it was found that they had spied on Middlesbrough prior to their 1-0 semi-final aggregate win over Boro.

They have also been found guilty of spying on Oxford in December and Ipswich in April.

The U’s beat the St Mary’s side despite the visitors having now been found to have breached EFL rules, Craig Short’s U’s winning 2-1 at the Kassam three days after former head coach Gary Rowett had been sacked.

A fan dresses up in camouflage when Saints faced Middlesbrough (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Saints had appealed their punishment but the decision was upheld and it has since been revealed that Tonda Eckert had ‘specifically authorised observations to obtain information about formation’ regarding Oxford’s tactical setup.

The Yellows have since been relegated from the second tier after finishing 22nd in the league and four points from safety, whilst other victims Ipswich won automatic promotion by finishing second in the table.

Meanwhile, Boro will replace Eckert’s side in Saturday’s play-off final at Wembley and face Hull City in the battle for Premier League promotion.

Fans of all three victim clubs have felt hard done by, as well as the rest of the Championship, as it has been found that Southampton acted in an unsportsmanlike fashion.

Supporters have taken to social media throughout the week to voice their opinions on the debacle.

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Southampton fans set off flares ahead of the Sky Bet Championship play off semi-final at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

One user on X said: “EFL applied too much latitude reducing points deduction tariff. I’d hope if either side had been in Champ next season Southampton would have had bigger negative points start to give both ‘victim’ sides a bigger head start. [By the way], seriously can’t imagine it’s only 3 sides…”

A Tractor Boys fan stated: “From an Ipswich point of view, no. They got a 2 point deduction for it. That’s a proper application of the rules. We suffered no loss as we still got promoted.”

Another Ipswich supporter said: “Oxford can have our compensation. We don’t need any more money we have enough from getting promoted.”

Some U’s fans were more cut-throat than others, with one Facebook user saying: “If Southampton were disqualified then the league games should void too.”

And another wishing: “Southampton relegated and Oxford back into the Championship….we can dream.”

On the other hand, one supporter declared: “We won [the game against Southampton]…enough said.”