D-Day very soon for Middlesbrough's alleged 'spy gate' fiasco
A verdict's expected today
It's thought it could be D-Day for Middlesbrough's spy gate fiasco.
Southampton are waiting to find out if they'll be expelled from the Championship play-off final this coming weekend.
They're accused of sending an analyst to spy on Boro training before their semi-final games.
Robert Nichols, editor of Boro fanzine Fly Me To The Moon, said: "We were absolutely sickened by it. This is cheating and it threatens the entire integrity of the game. I feel that there's no choice really but to take Southampton out of the play-offs. It's cheating and destroys everything really about the sport that we're in it for.
"The punishment has to fit the crime. It's no good talking about a fine. This is a team seeking to seek an advantage on the pitch in a play-off situation. The crime is in the play-offs, so the punishment has to be from the play-offs.
"I feel that the match has to go ahead on Saturday and it has to be, if found guilty, and I think they're going to be found guilty, then it has to be Hull versus Middlesbrough at Wembley.
"I feel for Hull fans. I think the club will be able to prepare for the match fully. I think they'll have enough days. But I think for the fans, I think it's very wrong that whatever it says about booking accommodation and transport and everything to be able to look for refunds, well it's not possible. It's not realistic.
"The spy gate situation is really serious. It is a threat to sporting integrity around football, hence why there has to be a correct sanction for this game.
"The inquiry had to be done very, very quickly, but I think after the play-off final, there needs to be a more considered and in-depth look at what Southampton have done to find out if they have been systematically spying.
"It's quite clear, the broken rule, maybe the actual punishment has to be spelled out as well for future, just to stop anybody doing this ever again, to stop gaining advantage in a non-sporting way, because it is a real threat to the league and the other competitions."