Explaining Middlesborough vs. Southampton spygate fall-out

Southampton defeated Middlesborough in a spiky Championship playoff semifinal, to book a place at Wembley where they will meet Hull City, amid an extraordinary spying scandal.

Middlesbrough's manager Kim Hellberg and Southampton counterpart Tonda Eckert were even involved in a brief altercation during a feisty second leg on Tuesday, which Saints won 2-1 in extra-time.

Here's everything you need to know about the spy accusations and what punishment might follow.

Spygate 2.0, what happened?

Middlesborough filed a complaint to the English Football League, alleging that "an individual identified to be associated" with Southampton has been caught filming training sessions.

The EFL subsequently charged Southampton with a breach of regulations.

"Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission," they said in a statement.

"Under EFL Regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges," they added.

"However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to shorten the response period and to list a hearing at the earliest opportunity.

Didn't Spygate happen before?

You may be thinking that you have heard of this story before.

And you would be right...

In 2019, ahead of the playoff semifinal between Frank Lampard's Derby County and Leeds United managed by Marcelo Bielsa, the Argentinian was accused of sending a "spy" to watch the Rams train.

Following Leeds' 2-0 win at Elland Road, the EFL launched an official investigation, Frank Lampard called the situation "unethical" and Leeds fans began chanting "Stop crying Frank Lampard" to the Oasis tune "Stop Crying Your Heart Out."

Incredibly Bielsa then decided to openly admit to sending a spy and in a 70-minute press conference, detailing that he had all the training sessions of all the opponents watched.

Leeds were fined £200,000 by the EFL after they found that the club's conduct "fell significantly short of the standards expected by the EFL and must not be repeated."

Leeds apologised to Derby, reminded Bielsa of their "integrity and honesty" principles and released a statement saying "we apologise for acting in a way that has been judged culturally unacceptable in the English game."

Bielsa then decided to pay the £200,000 fine out of his own pocket in another bizarre twist.

PA contributed to this report.