D-Day in Spygate case: What's at stake and what could happen?

Breaking news from the world of sport: D-Day in Spygate case: What's at stake and what could happen? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Middlesbrough are adamant that Southampton must be removed from their play-offs and that their fans should be headed for Wembley on SaturdayByDale Johnson Football issues correspondentPublished8 minutes agoIn just four days, Southampton are due to walk out at Wembley to take on Hull City in the richest game in world football - the Championship play-off final. But the fate of the match is in the hands of an English Football League independent disciplinary commission.

As the club's supporters, players and staff woke up on Tuesday morning, there was no guarantee that the game would happen. Instead, Tuesday is D-Day for the captivating Spygate story. Saints stand charged by the EFL with watching a Middlesbrough training session two days before the first leg of their play-off semi-final.

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Boro want Saints to be thrown out of the play-offs, arguing that spying on their preparation "goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition". If Southampton are found guilty - and they have not issued any kind of denial - then all options are on the table for the independent disciplinary commission. A decision is expected later on Tuesday, but there is the chance it could drag on into Wednesday.

It all comes down to how much time is needed for deliberations. No-one can predict how this will end. Recap: What are Southampton accused of doing?

Image source, OtherImage caption, Spygate is alleged to have taken place two days before Middlesbrough play-off semi-final first leg against SouthamptonIt was the morning of Thursday, 7 May. Middlesbrough were at their Rockliffe Park training base preparing for the game against Southampton 48 hours later. The supposed spy, allegedly a Southampton analyst, is said to have parked at the golf club, then walked a couple of hundred yards down a road which leads to a raised area of ground.

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Sources told the that the accused simply stood pointing his mobile at the training session, while wearing in-ear headphones. Middlesbrough staff believe he may have been live-streaming the session via a video call. A member of Middlesbrough's staff approached, say sources, but the person would not identify himself.

Then, he quickly deleted some content off his phone before running off into the golf club. He jogged into the toilets, changed his clothes and hurriedly left the site. Middlesbrough's photographer took photos and matched him to a photo on the Southampton website.

One of those pictures was subsequently made public last week. Boro were furious and quickly reported it to the EFL. On Friday, the EFL charged Southampton with breaking two regulations.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.