Great stuff Josh, genuinely one of the best Substack football articles I’ve read, so much of it resonated. I’ve been wondering myself in recent times - what the hell is going on in football? This sport that should be one of life’s enjoyments ever more reeks of controversy, greed, and corruption. The sense of fair play and respect that once existed is now replaced by a win at all costs, chase the (exorbitant amounts of) money attitude that leads to the kind of behaviour that Southampton have now rightly been punished for. I’m all for strong punishments when it comes to law breaking, crime should never pay, so like you I’m glad the EFL have thrown the book at Saints. I also can’t see how the manager remains in charge after this, he’s disgraced himself and a famous club.
A really great article. The punishment does fit the crime. Southampton sought to gain an unfair advantage in the play off section of the season and therefore it is completely sensible that the play offs is the arena for the clubs punishment. It remains to be seen whether this will deter this type of offence or ( more likely) refine it.
Knowing a lot of Saints fans, I feel their pain - but I agree this is the only punishment that fits such a blatant disregard for the EFL’s rules. And your article articulates this perfectly.
Great article. Superb. I have no vested interests but they got what they deserved. I feel sorry for the honest, decent fans who have been let down by their club, but the punishment needs to ensure it doesn't happen again. Southampton were so strong in the second half of the season they didn't even need to cheat and I'm pleased it is such a strong punishment.
I must admit that my first reaction was that the punishment was OTT. But,as you have explained very well, there is a rule, because privacy is important, and Southampton (Saints - how ironic!) broke the rule at least three times. However cynical the game has become, and the EPL is riddled with it, it’s good to see that at least the EFL is trying to do something about cheating. And however naive it may seem these days, it’s important for many of us who follow our team to feel that some higher morality is in play, at least sometimes.
Nice article. As a Saints fan I feel some frustration with how the governing bodies select which crimes/clubs they’re willing to throw the book at, but in isolation can’t complain about the punishment at all. Agree that making an intern do the dirty work is one of the worst aspects of this. I would add though that the apparent decision from boro to leak the photo (and his identity) in the current social media climate isn’t great either - don’t know what they gained from putting it in the public domain.
I can imagine you're feeling sick to your stomach, and I've got nothing but sympathy for fans like you who've had this foisted on them. My assumption is (and I don't know) to add to the general media circus around the whole thing? Either way, I feel for the kid.
The punishment is well OTT. Any penalty or consequence should fit the offence or misdemeanour. Punishing this so heavily is like giving someone a lifetime driving ban for a parking ticket. Rules matter, but penalties lose legitimacy when they are wildly out of proportion to the wrongdoing. Excessive punishments create more resentment, cynicism and even more distrust in the system. Southampton's fans matter too.
"But beyond the schadenfreude of comeuppance, the punishment handed to Saints is not simply satisfying because rules were broken. It matters because it represents a rare moment where integrity has triumphed over the inherent cynicism of modern football."
This right here. The meat of it all.
It is a reminder that rules are there to be enforced, not papered over or obscured by feckless admins hell-bent on concealing the dark underbelly of the sport we all love. Best to sweep it away and pretend it didn't happen, than to use sunlight as the best disinfectant.
I think there's an apples/oranges thing when comparing this form of cheating with financial doping. BUT - with that said - I am a huge advocate of City being punished in the harshest terms possible (forced relegation, titles stripped etc) for their systemic and brazen conduct over the last decade or so.
Great stuff Josh, genuinely one of the best Substack football articles I’ve read, so much of it resonated. I’ve been wondering myself in recent times - what the hell is going on in football? This sport that should be one of life’s enjoyments ever more reeks of controversy, greed, and corruption. The sense of fair play and respect that once existed is now replaced by a win at all costs, chase the (exorbitant amounts of) money attitude that leads to the kind of behaviour that Southampton have now rightly been punished for. I’m all for strong punishments when it comes to law breaking, crime should never pay, so like you I’m glad the EFL have thrown the book at Saints. I also can’t see how the manager remains in charge after this, he’s disgraced himself and a famous club.
A really great article. The punishment does fit the crime. Southampton sought to gain an unfair advantage in the play off section of the season and therefore it is completely sensible that the play offs is the arena for the clubs punishment. It remains to be seen whether this will deter this type of offence or ( more likely) refine it.
Knowing a lot of Saints fans, I feel their pain - but I agree this is the only punishment that fits such a blatant disregard for the EFL’s rules. And your article articulates this perfectly.
Thanks Bart! Good to hear from you. Feel desperately for Saints fans.
Great article. Superb. I have no vested interests but they got what they deserved. I feel sorry for the honest, decent fans who have been let down by their club, but the punishment needs to ensure it doesn't happen again. Southampton were so strong in the second half of the season they didn't even need to cheat and I'm pleased it is such a strong punishment.
I must admit that my first reaction was that the punishment was OTT. But,as you have explained very well, there is a rule, because privacy is important, and Southampton (Saints - how ironic!) broke the rule at least three times. However cynical the game has become, and the EPL is riddled with it, it’s good to see that at least the EFL is trying to do something about cheating. And however naive it may seem these days, it’s important for many of us who follow our team to feel that some higher morality is in play, at least sometimes.
Well played.
Fantastic piece, Josh. Well played. Well articulated.
Great article. Southampton got what they deserved.
Nice article. As a Saints fan I feel some frustration with how the governing bodies select which crimes/clubs they’re willing to throw the book at, but in isolation can’t complain about the punishment at all. Agree that making an intern do the dirty work is one of the worst aspects of this. I would add though that the apparent decision from boro to leak the photo (and his identity) in the current social media climate isn’t great either - don’t know what they gained from putting it in the public domain.
I can imagine you're feeling sick to your stomach, and I've got nothing but sympathy for fans like you who've had this foisted on them. My assumption is (and I don't know) to add to the general media circus around the whole thing? Either way, I feel for the kid.
The punishment is well OTT. Any penalty or consequence should fit the offence or misdemeanour. Punishing this so heavily is like giving someone a lifetime driving ban for a parking ticket. Rules matter, but penalties lose legitimacy when they are wildly out of proportion to the wrongdoing. Excessive punishments create more resentment, cynicism and even more distrust in the system. Southampton's fans matter too.
Southampton’s fans absolutely matter. And to be honest I think the disregard their own club showed for them is one of the worst things about it.
"But beyond the schadenfreude of comeuppance, the punishment handed to Saints is not simply satisfying because rules were broken. It matters because it represents a rare moment where integrity has triumphed over the inherent cynicism of modern football."
This right here. The meat of it all.
It is a reminder that rules are there to be enforced, not papered over or obscured by feckless admins hell-bent on concealing the dark underbelly of the sport we all love. Best to sweep it away and pretend it didn't happen, than to use sunlight as the best disinfectant.
Well done, Josh!
Its a harsh punishment when you see what Man City have gotten away with.
I think there's an apples/oranges thing when comparing this form of cheating with financial doping. BUT - with that said - I am a huge advocate of City being punished in the harshest terms possible (forced relegation, titles stripped etc) for their systemic and brazen conduct over the last decade or so.