[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-spygate-what-hellberg-s-cheats-label-means-for-playoffs":61,"news-related-spygate-what-hellberg-s-cheats-label-means-for-playoffs-en":99,"news-related-match-spygate-what-hellberg-s-cheats-label-means-for-playoffs-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":39,"hostCities":40},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",-37,-20,"finished_recent",false,[41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60],"Atlanta","Boston","Dallas","East Rutherford","Guadalajara","Houston","Kansas City","Los Angeles","Mexico City","Miami","Monterrey","New-York","New York New Jersey","Philadelphia","San-Francisco","San Francisco Bay Area","Seattle","Toronto","Vancouver","Zapopan",{"article":62},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":63,"category":64,"excerpt":65,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":66,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":70,"slug":71,"sourceName":72,"sourceURL":73,"teamId":74,"teamName":75,"teamIds":76,"teamNames":87,"title":98},"The Championship playoff semi-final between Middlesbrough and Southampton has been rocked by a spying scandal that erupted after the first leg ended 0-0 at the Riverside Stadium. Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg accused Southampton of cheating, alleging that an analyst from the south coast club had secretly watched his team's pre-match training session last Thursday. The English Football League (EFL) has since charged Southampton with misconduct, escalating the controversy just days before Tuesday's decisive second leg.\n\nAccording to Hellberg, the spying gave Southampton a massive advantage, particularly in the first half, where they were allegedly able to counter Middlesbrough's unfamiliar tactical setup. 'It's unfair, they saw everything,' Hellberg said. 'Without it, it would have been impossible for them to know our shape. We have never used that shape before today. They saw set pieces, goal-kicks, everything.' He described the incident as a breach of respect and revealed his initial disbelief when informed by club officials.\n\nSouthampton manager Tonda Eckert faced a tense post-match press conference, repeatedly deflecting questions about the incident. After stating that the club had already issued a statement, Eckert refused to discuss whether the analyst acted alone or with knowledge of the coaching staff. When pressed, he said, 'I think I've said more than enough,' before abruptly walking out of the press conference. He also confirmed he had not discussed the matter with his players, citing the need to focus on the match.\n\nThe EFL's swift response—charging Southampton less than 24 hours before kickoff—underscores the seriousness of the allegations. The disciplinary commission will now investigate, with potential sanctions ranging from fines to point deductions, though Hellberg argued that a mere fine would be insufficient. 'It's not a proper deterrent,' he said. 'It needs to be something more substantial.'\n\nThe controversy has drawn comparisons to previous spying incidents in English football, most notably the 'Spygate' case involving Leeds United in 2019, where then-manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted to sending a staff member to watch Derby County's training. That incident resulted in a £200,000 fine from the EFL and a public apology. However, the current case carries added weight due to the high stakes of the playoff semi-final, which determines promotion to the Premier League.\n\nFor Middlesbrough, the sense of injustice has galvanized the team and its supporters. Fans displayed banners calling out the alleged cheating, and the atmosphere at the Riverside was charged with indignation. Hellberg acknowledged the emotional impact: 'There was anger, a loss of respect. It makes me disappointed.' He also expressed sympathy for Southampton's players and fans, emphasizing that they were not responsible for the analyst's actions.\n\nThe second leg at St Mary's Stadium now looms large, with both teams level on aggregate. The psychological edge may have shifted to Middlesbrough, who feel wronged and are motivated to prove their superiority on the pitch. Southampton, meanwhile, must navigate the distraction of an ongoing disciplinary process while trying to secure a place in the playoff final.\n\nAnalysts suggest that the spying controversy could have far-reaching implications for the Championship, potentially prompting the EFL to tighten regulations around pre-match security. Clubs may now be more vigilant about guarding training sessions, and the incident may serve as a cautionary tale for others. For now, the focus remains on the football—but the shadow of 'Spygate' will linger until the disciplinary commission delivers its verdict.\n\nAs the second leg approaches, the question remains: can Southampton overcome the turmoil and advance, or will the scandal define their season? Hellberg's accusation of cheating has set the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the playoff tie. Based on reporting from Football | The Guardian.","news","Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg accuses Southampton of cheating after analyst spied on training; EFL charges Southampton; playoff tie level at 0-0.","328604046250217473","326135624887177216","Championship","0","2026-05-09T16:00:10Z","spygate-what-hellberg-s-cheats-label-means-for-playoffs","The Guardian","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fmay\u002F09\u002Fspygate-playoff-row-championship-southampton-middlesbrough-hellberg-eckert","326257808251031552","Middlesbrough",[74,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86],"326257807630274560","326222707169431552","326255038584328192","326257546392244224","326257613643714560","326257615103332352","326257636301344768","326257546358689792","326257808217477120","326222713142120448",[75,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97],"Southampton","Anderlecht","Legia Warszawa","Nottingham Forest","Hassania Agadir","BSC Young Boys","Arema FC","Leeds","Derby","Canada","Spygate: What Hellberg's 'Cheats' Label Means for Playoffs",[100,140,170,200],{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":101,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":102,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":103,"slug":104,"sourceName":105,"sourceURL":106,"teamId":107,"teamName":108,"teamIds":109,"teamNames":124,"title":139},"Italy beat Spain 4-2 on penalties after 1-1 draw to set up a U17 European Championship final against Belgium, who eliminated France earlier.","338075747069464577","2026-06-04T19:28:40Z","italy-edge-spain-on-penalties-u17-euro-final-vs-belgium","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FL-italie-rejoint-la-belgique-en-finale-de-l-euro-des-moins-de-17-ans\u002F1681874#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326257661500723200","Italy",[107,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,121,122,123,78],"326222711401484288","326222712936599552","326222767416414208","326255039846813696","326255041625198592","326257536296554496","326257536413995008","326257537865224192","326257539844935680","326257664680005632","326257696636407808","326222711447621632","326222711569256448","326222711653142528",[108,125,126,127,128,129,130,131,132,133,134,135,136,137,138,89],"Belgium","Paraguay","Lesotho","FK Partizan","Partizani","Auxerre","Paris FC","Estoril","Parma","Estonia","Azzurri","France","Brazil","Spain","Italy Edge Spain on Penalties: U17 Euro Final vs Belgium",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":141,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":142,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":143,"slug":144,"sourceName":145,"sourceURL":146,"teamId":147,"teamName":148,"teamIds":149,"teamNames":159,"title":169},"Italy U17 edged Spain 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, goalkeeper Lupo saving two spot-kicks, to book a U17 Euro final vs Belgium on June 7. Lupo also saved","338067843268481025","2026-06-04T19:13:51Z","italy-u17-beat-spain-on-penalties-set-up-final-vs-belgium","Tuttosport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tuttosport.com\u002Fnews\u002Fcalcio\u002Fitalia\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F04-149032827\u002Fl_italia_u17_batte_la_spagna_ai_rigori_e_vola_in_finale_dell_europeo_ecco_chi_affronta\u002F","326255039347691520","Fiorentina",[147,150,151,152,153,154,155,156,157,110,123,107,78,158],"326222712592666624","326222713054040064","326255039171530752","326255041851691008","326257536372051968","326257546220277760","326257554193649664","326222712143876096","326222712496197632",[148,160,161,162,163,164,165,166,167,125,138,108,89,168],"Congo DR","Haiti","Dinamo Minsk","Cherno More Varna","Metz","Chelsea","Perth Glory","Portugal","Netherlands","Italy U17 Beat Spain on Penalties, Set Up Final vs Belgium",{"awayTeamId":171,"awayTeamName":172,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":173,"homeTeamId":174,"homeTeamName":175,"id":176,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":177,"matchName":178,"publishedAt":179,"slug":180,"sourceName":181,"sourceURL":182,"teamId":183,"teamName":184,"teamIds":185,"teamNames":192,"title":199},"326255038148120576","Hibernian","Celtic hold constructive talks with Robbie Keane and plan discussions with Martin O'Neill as manager search continues; Rangers target Hampus Skoglund.","326257567044997120","Rangers","337875415949381633","327053940279480320","Rangers vs Hibernian","2026-06-04T06:36:46Z","why-celtic-talks-keane-o-neill-manager-search","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fcp9pd3l5mp2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257567011442688","Celtic",[183,174,171,186,187,78,188,189,190,191,86],"326257539333230592","326257546153168896","326255038768877568","326255044473131008","326257590021394432","326222711535702016",[184,175,172,193,194,89,195,196,197,198,97],"AC Milan","West Ham","Hammarby FF","Hamrun Spartans","Toronto FC","Sweden","Why Celtic Talks Keane & O'Neill: Manager Search",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":201,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":202,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":203,"slug":204,"sourceName":105,"sourceURL":205,"teamId":121,"teamName":136,"teamIds":206,"teamNames":217,"title":228},"France U17 face Belgium in the Euro U17 semi-final on Thursday 4 June at 13:30 CEST, live on L'Equipe Live foot. Les Bleuets aim for a fourth title after","337848745020362753","2026-06-04T04:50:00Z","france-u17-vs-belgium-kick-off-time-tv-channel-for-euro","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FA-quelle-heure-et-sur-quelle-chaine-voir-france-belgique\u002F1681339#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[121,110,207,208,112,209,210,211,212,213,214,119,215,216],"326257786696503296","326222707404312576","326222767449968640","326257544295092224","326257563228180480","326257565845426176","326257664877137920","326257661421031424","326257745512632320","326257600737841152",[136,125,218,219,127,220,221,222,223,224,225,134,226,227],"Les Bleuets","Charleroi","Chad","Chapecoense-sc","Groningen","Mallorca","Montenegro","Denmark","Members","Junior","France U17 vs Belgium: Kick-Off Time, TV Channel for Euro"]