Sky Sports News has revealed a photo of a man outside Middlesbrough's training ground, sparking spying allegations against Southampton. This incident follows a complaint from Middlesbrough regarding a member of Southampton's staff allegedly spying on their training session ahead of the Championship play-off semi-final on Saturday.

Southampton has been charged with breaching EFL regulations due to this complaint, with an Independent Disciplinary Commission now investigating the matter. The potential repercussions for Southampton could be severe, including exclusion from the play-offs if they are found guilty of spying.

Key points include:

• Southampton secured a place in the Championship play-off final on May 23 with a 2-1 win against Middlesbrough in extra time.
• The commission's decision could lead to various outcomes, from dismissing the charge to imposing significant sanctions.
• The investigation is urgent due to the upcoming play-off final, with considerations on whether the evidence warrants a severe punishment.

The rules in question include Rule 3.4 and Rule 127, which prohibit clubs from observing training sessions within 72 hours of a match. Southampton has been charged with violating both.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Southampton proceeds with plans for the play-off final, announcing ticket sales on Thursday. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough's players will return to training on Thursday for a debrief, while their future remains uncertain depending on the commission's findings.