Middlesbrough's Spygate case has reached a critical point as Southampton face disciplinary action from the English Football League (EFL) for allegedly spying on Middlesbrough's training session. The incident occurred on May 7, two days before the first leg of their play-off semi-final. A Southampton analyst is said to have parked at the golf club near Middlesbrough's Rockliffe Park training base and watched the training session from a raised area of ground. Middlesbrough staff believe he may have been live-streaming the session via a video call. The EFL has charged Southampton with breaking two regulations: EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith, and EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any club from observing or attempting to observe another club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs. The independent disciplinary commission will hear the case and decide on the punishment, which could include a fine, points deduction, or throwing Southampton out of the play-offs. The hearing is expected to be a virtual one, and the verdict may take up to 24 hours to be made public.