Southampton captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis has issued an apology after he taunted Middlesbrough rivals following the Saints' winning goal in their Championship play-off semi-final. Harwood-Bellis mimicked holding a pair of binoculars after Shea Charles scored the crucial goal to send the South Coast club to the £200 million play-off final earlier this month, while the Spygate scandal was brewing.
The Saints were later expelled from the showpiece event after admitting to spying on Middlesbrough and two other Championship clubs. Their appeal against the decision was rejected this week. Harwood-Bellis, who is engaged to Roy Keane's daughter Leah, said on Thursday that he would never have performed the mocking celebration had he been aware of how serious the situation was.
'As players, we are absolutely gutted, disappointed, and heartbroken that it's come to this,' he said on Instagram. 'I'd also like to put on record that, had I known the severity of the situation, I would never have done what I did on the pitch. In the moment, it was meant as a bit of fun in a situation that we as players were not informed about.'
Middlesbrough welcomed Southampton's expulsion, saying the sanction 'sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct'. Eckert's future as Southampton boss is now in major doubt, while reports suggest the Saints' players are considering legal action against the club. Eckert was due at Southampton's training ground on Thursday morning and was expected to hold talks with the players.
The club said in a statement on Wednesday evening that 'trust now needs to be rebuilt'. 'That work begins immediately,' they added. 'The club will reflect carefully on the events that have led to this point, learn from them and take the necessary steps to move forward responsibly. While tonight is a painful moment, this football club will respond with humility, accountability and determination to put things right.'
