Middlesbrough's lawyer breaks silence after Southampton called in Man City's 115 charges expert

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Middlesbrough’s lawyer Nick De Marco has opened up on the ‘fascinating case’ of spying that has seen Southampton kicked out of the play-offs. The South Coast side were accused, charged and found guilty of watching Middlesbrough's training session shortly before their semi-final.

Southampton admitted the charge and also revealed that they had also been spying on Ipswich Town and Oxford United earlier in the season. Following an independent hearing, the EFL decided to kick the club out of the play-offs , with Middlesbrough being reinstated and they will now take on Hull at Wembley.

The Saints submitted an appeal and despite that, the decision was upheld. And sports lawyer De Marco, who represented Middlesbrough throughout the process, has now spoken out.

Taking to Twitter , he wrote: “It’s been a fascinating case. Well done to all involved. We shall all look forward to reading the written reasons. For now, good luck Boro for the final!”

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Asked who he would like to play him in a film about the case, he amusingly added: “It’s probably got to be one of Brad Pitt. Jude Law or Leonardo di Caprio, I reckon.”

While De Marco represented Middlesbrough, they did not actually play an active role in proceedings. They were not allowed in the original hearing, while they could only submit written evidence for the appeal.

Meanwhile, Lord Pannick KC represented Southampton in the appeal, having also played a role in the ongoing case that sees Manchester City face 115 separate charges from the Premier League .

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A statement from the EFL after the appeal read: “A League Arbitration Panel has today dismissed Southampton Football Club’s appeal against the Independent Disciplinary Commission’s decision in respect of breaches of EFL Regulations.

“As a result, the original sanction remains in force. Southampton’s expulsion from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs stands, alongside the four-point deduction to be applied to the Club’s 2026/27 Championship record and the reprimand in respect of all charges. In accordance with EFL Regulations, the decision of the League Arbitration Panel is final.

“Following the conclusion of the proceedings, the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final between Hull City and Middlesbrough is confirmed as taking place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 23 May, kicking off at 3.30pm.”

Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons released a statement explaining the club’s appeal before it was officially turned down. He argued that the sanction ‘bore no proportion to the offence’ and argued that it was the biggest punishment ever seen in the history of English football.

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