FA issue update after Southampton star accused of 'discriminatory remarks' to rival

Taylor Harwood-Bellis has escaped any punishment for his alleged discriminatory remarks towards Luke Ayling after the Middlesbrough defender chose not to take the matter further. The Southampton captain was seen having words with Ayling in the first half of their Championship play-off semi-final second leg, prompting referee Andy Madley to stop play. Ayling told Madley that Harwood-Bellis had said something discriminatory towards him. The referee then walked over to the touchline to inform both managers and the fourth official, prompting a clash between Tonda Eckert and Kim Hellberg. The match continued, with Southampton winning 2-1 in extra-time thanks to a late goal from Shea Charles. They will play Hull City in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on May 23, unless the investigation into their alleged spying on Middlesbrough changes things. Harwood-Bellis will be available to play against Hull after the Football Association confirmed the incident with Ayling will not be pursued. The FA checked the referee's report and spoke to Middlesbrough, who passed on Ayling's wishes. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page The two players were shown speaking amicably to each other later in the match, having seemingly resolved the argument. Both managers were asked about the incident after the match. "I don't think this is my place to say," Hellberg said. "On the pitch things happen and it's not my role to explain in terms of that, it's better that the people involved do that. "I think [Eckert's aggression] was in the heat of the moment, and feelings and emotions which are things we love about football. I don't know exactly about that situation but Luke is of course devastated we have not gone through." Eckert added: "I don't have an understanding of the situation yet. But I have seen that the two of them spoke straight after the game and there was obviously a lot of emotions, but they seemed fine - so I need to check with him [Harwood-Bellis] what happened exactly." The news will come as a relief to Southampton, with Harwood-Bellis a key player for Eckert's side. The 24-year-old centre-back has played 48 games this season, contributing seven goals and three assists and has formed a solid partnership with Nathan Wood while captain Jack Stephens was out injured. But while that matter is settled, the conclusion to the 'Spygate' saga is far from it. Middlesbrough are pushing for sporting sanctions to be passed down by the independent disciplinary commission who are investigating the allegations that a member of Saints staff recorded Boro's training session two days before the first leg, which finished 0-0. Middlesbrough will return to training later this week, in the hope that the EFL may kick Southampton out and send them to Wembley for a shot at returning to the Premier League . A photograph of the alleged spy, William Salt, has been published by the Daily Mail, which shows him stood on the footpath by Boro's training ground holding a phone. It is also reported that he used his bank card in the adjoining golf club, which is owned by the club's chairman Steve Gibson. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.