I'm a Southampton fan and we have to face the truth – I'm ashamed of my club

I'm a Southampton fan and we have to face the truth – I'm ashamed of my clubFor the first time ever I'm ashamed to be a Southampton supporter, but Tonda Eckert's side shouldn't be kicked out of the play-offsCommentsSportopinionDan Burnham Senior Sports Reporter/Content Editor20:30, 13 May 2026View 2 ImagesThere's little else us fans can do apart from have a laugh about it(Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire) Southampton FC were the club that did things the right way. Admired for their academy, respected for their recruitment. ‌ A week ago that was the case. It’s not any more. And as a Southampton fan, that stings. ‌ We’ve always been good at poking fun at ourselves. You have to be when you lose 9-0 - twice. So chants of "We’ll spy when we want" may come across as arrogant, but it’s more of a coping mechanism. What else can we do? ‌ Even the most vehement of supporter has to face up to the truth. Whether the order came from above or not, there’s no doubting that Southampton Football Club have cheated. Plain and simple. An advantage has been sought outside of the game. But - stay with me - it’s exactly that. Outside of the game. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page ‌ READ MORE: Middlesbrough have 'new evidence' in Spygate row and make plans for play-off finalREAD MORE: Southampton reach Championship play-off final after winning fiery Middlesbrough clashFootball is contested between two teams of 11 players over 90 minutes plus extra time. A first-team analyst didn’t score the winner that knocked Middlesbrough out of the play-offs. They don’t hold such power. No Boro fan can place their hand on their heart and say they deserved to go through based on what happened on the pitch. And that’s how football games are decided. They can’t, and never should be, decided off the pitch. Spygate has, therefore, put the EFL in something of an impossible position. There’s no removing an advantage that’s already been gained. Or one sought to have been gained. ‌ View 2 ImagesShea Charles sent Saints marching to Wembley - and no commission should stop them(Image: Getty Images) But you can’t take the leap of then declaring everything that happened over those 210 minutes on the pitch null and void. That’s not fair, being spied on isn’t fair, and life’s not fair. That’s the harsh reality. It’s a crying shame that the climax of the season, one of the most entertaining aspects of English football, has been overshadowed by this saga. I hate it. ‌ And yet it’s Hull City vs Southampton in the Championship play-off final next week. And that’s the way it should remain. A punishment is warranted, regardless of who exactly was behind the decision to watch that training session. But football is decided on the pitch. I'm ashamed of my club but I'm not ashamed of the team that have given me some of the greatest nights of my life as a fan, nor the loyal support that have sold out up and down the country and been the epitome of a 12th man. We've had - and will continue to have - our flogging in the court of public opinion. Article continues belowHold those who are guilty accountable. But not in a way that punishes us all. Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more£44SkyGet the deal hereProduct DescriptionSky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL. Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.