English football 2025-26

[sussexpob]

I assumed that Oxford lost that game, but they won it 2-1, it seems. The Ipswich game was a draw and they got automatic promotion anyway, so the consequences for the other teams were perhaps only really felt by the Boro

People seem surprised that Southampton admitted the charges so easily and uncontested, when they could have thrown all sorts of legal challenges at the FA to delay the hearings until after the playoff final, at which point it would be incredibly difficult to undo the result of that match is Saints won. Kicking out of the club after promotion would be akin to an unprecedented 180 million Euro fine and relegation, which is 20-30 times over any fine ever dished out in world football history.

But lets be real here, how likely is it that Southampton spied on a 23rd placed side in a random December game, and then did nothing for 4-5 months again? The FA cobbled up enough evidence in 24 hours after this came to light to charge them in 3 cases successfully, I imagine given another couple of months we might end up with the whole league making complaints, and several clubs did come out and say they had suspicions.

It occurs to me Southampton were delighted to admit guilt to 3, get booted out the playoffs with the punishment light enough to still compete next year, and then put it to bed. I would imagine if 10 or 15 sides went back and checked their CCTV the week before playing the Saints, and found a guy filming in the bushes, they would be playing in League 2 come August.

I would love to see the full report to see if they admitted these matches but others were highlighted. It seems weird that they won something like 17 in 20 games at the end of the year, and the only 3 games they admitted to were the 3 they didn't win. It seems selective, it opens the narrative to "the punishment was harsh, they didn't even benefit" style arguments which some people are engaging in.

The full report could have other claims which they didn't admit to, and for which the FA didn't feel necessary given time frames to investigate, as the admission of guilt was enough to decide the case based on those matches.

[sussexpob]

I think its incredibly unlikely they benefitted too. They were 22nd at one point well into the season, then suddenly overnight turned into a undefeatable wrecking ball of endless victories.... People asked during the season how they switched form so dramatically.... well, cheating would be a pretty good explanation, wouldn't it?

Fair play to the FA for making the PL look like incompetent p****** and actually having some balls to hold teams to account.

[Durhamfootman]

But lets be real here, how likely is it that Southampton spied on a 23rd placed side in a random December game, and then did nothing for 4-5 months again? The FA cobbled up enough evidence in 24 hours after this came to light to charge them in 3 cases successfully, I imagine given another couple of months we might end up with the whole league making complaints, and several clubs did come out and say they had suspicions.

It occurs to me Southampton were delighted to admit guilt to 3, get booted out the playoffs with the punishment light enough to still compete next year, and then put it to bed. I would imagine if 10 or 15 sides went back and checked their CCTV the week before playing the Saints, and found a guy filming in the bushes, they would be playing in League 2 come August.

I would love to see the full report to see if they admitted these matches but others were highlighted. It seems weird that they won something like 17 in 20 games at the end of the year, and the only 3 games they admitted to were the 3 they didn't win. It seems selective, it opens the narrative to "the punishment was harsh, they didn't even benefit" style arguments which some people are engaging in.

The full report could have other claims which they didn't admit to, and for which the FA didn't feel necessary given time frames to investigate, as the admission of guilt was enough to decide the case based on those matches.

I tend to agree with that. The whole thing stinks

It feels utterly unrealistic to think that they haven't been doing this stuff all season. I think that Southampton offered the other two games voluntarily, maybe to demonstrate contrition and a willingness to actively assist the inquiry.... after all, that approach got Chelsea off the hook with a fine and nothing else

I hadn't realised that Southampton were also given a 4 point deduction for the start of next season

[bigfluffylemon]

Now Hull are complaining that they have to play a different side from what they expected and could appeal if they lose. FFS. Doubt that would have any legs.

Meanwhile, congrats Villa!

[bigfluffylemon]

West ham still have a lifeline, but it's unlikely. Need to beat Leeds, while hoping Everton do then a favour and beat Spurs, with neither Leeds nor Everton having anything but pride to play for.

they might say 'integrity' as well

Well sure. I'm not implying anyone would deliberately go out and not try to win. But it's human nature that it's hard to get yourself up to give 100% in a game with nothing riding for you on the outcome, and a break just around the corner. How many times do we see the 'dead rubber slump' in cricket?

[sussexpob]

Everton can still mathematically jump 4 places, which is worth 11 million pounds in prize money, so not exactly nothing to play for...

[Durhamfootman]

Now Hull are complaining that they have to play a different side from what they expected and could appeal if they lose. FFS. Doubt that would have any legs.

Hull demonstrating that no opportunity should ever be allowed to go to waste. I think Boro put their complaint in before the SF's were concluded, so if Hull haven't spent the whole time since winning their SF preparing to face either team, then they probably shouldn't be in the business. Depressingly, even though it's a ludicrous argument, I fully expected them to make it

The usual English 'we wuz robbed' argument, made before they wuz robbed

[Durhamfootman]

Carrick in, Pep out