Southampton and Middlesbrough's managers clashed and had to be separated in the first half of their frosty play-off semi-final second leg. Saints boss Tonda Eckert and his rival Kim Hellberg became enraged at each other on the touchline, requiring intervention from the referee, nearest linesman, and fourth official.
It marked another chapter in what Sky Sports dubbed football's 'Cold War' amid an investigation into Southampton for alleged spying. Daily Mail Sport revealed last Thursday that a Southampton first-team analyst was caught allegedly recording Middlesbrough’s training from the bushes ahead of Saturday’s play-off semi-final first leg, which ended goalless.
On Friday night, the EFL charged the South Coast club with a breach of their rules. There was no love lost between Eckert and Hellberg coming into this clash, with the latter extending a dismissive handshake to his opponent ahead of kick-off.
More to follow.
