Hull's Jakirovic Slams Southampton for Spying Scandal Ahead of Play-Off Final
Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic has strongly criticized Southampton for allegedly "crossing a line" by spying on rival teams' training sessions. This condemnation comes after the Saints were expelled from the Championship play-offs on Tuesday by an independent commission for breaching league regulations. Southampton admitted to observing a training session of their semi-final opponents, Middlesbrough, just 72 hours before their first leg match. The club also acknowledged similar surveillance activities before games against Oxford United in December and Ipswich Town in April. Jakirovic expressed his frustration at not knowing his side's play-off final opponent or the match date due to ongoing legal hearings and a potential appeal. While he refrained from commenting directly on the sanctions against Southampton, he did not hold back in denouncing their actions, stating, "They crossed a line, 100 per cent." He recalled a conversation with Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert, describing him as a "normal, nice guy" but raised concerns about the extent of their spying, saying: "Maybe now, when you read that they also sent men to Ipswich, to Oxford, maybe they did all the league?" In a light-hearted moment, Jakirovic mentioned checking the windows overlooking Hull's training pitch for potential spies. He also questioned the effectiveness of Southampton's espionage, noting that Middlesbrough had 40 attempts on goal during their match, rendering the spying pointless in his view. Jakirovic emphasized his own thorough preparation, stating, "I know everything about every team... this is my job." He remarked on the seriousness of the situation, mentioning the impact on players and sponsors, and the potential financial ramifications, as a single season in the Premier League is valued at £205 million over three years. As Hull prepares for the crucial match against Middlesbrough on Saturday, Jakirovic's determination is clear. "Everything. Because what we have achieved here, in these circumstances, is unbelievable. There is one more little step that we have to do, and we will try to do everything in our power to get there."
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-05-21