middlesbrough Manager Kim Helberg has found herself in the crosshairs southamptonElimination from Championship play-off final.
evening paper Report Alexander Axen's comments today. He believes Middlesbrough manager Kim Helberg has behaved 'disrespectfully' in this matter.
southampton expelled
Southampton were eliminated from the final this week after Middlesbrough revealed that a Southampton employee had filmed a training session before the two sides met in the semi-final.
The EFL launched an investigation after photographs emerged of a Southampton analyst filming an evening training session.
An independent committee then adjudicated on the matter and decided to expel Southampton. As part of the investigation, the Saints admitted to several incidents of spying this season. They were eliminated from the playoffs and given four points for the next season.
Southampton have lodged an appeal, with the case set to be heard on Wednesday morning. This has left the final in doubt, with its timing now subject to change depending on what happens in the appeal. Both sides continue to train ahead of the clash with Hull City.
Blame Hellberg
Swedish manager, pundit and Southampton fan Alexander Axen is by no means impressed. But he believes the blame lies with Middlesbrough's Kim Helberg more than anyone else.
“How dare they do something like that?” He said.
"Middlesbrough are very happy that they managed to win this place. Southampton have admitted that they had someone there who was filming, but the proportion of it... it's terrible.
"No one running into the bushes has ever decided a football match. It's decided on the pitch all the time. They did the filming before the first match, when Middlesbrough were completely superior. So, in such cases it was not filmed very well.
"They can't score and then start crying. I really lose faith. It's a breakdown like any other. They started joking after two 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time. Pathetic."
He was particularly angry when he saw the Middlesbrough manager in action on Sunday in the clash between his former club Hammarby and Malmö FF. Alexander Axen was in TV4's studio for that game.
"When I saw him (Helberg) my heart skipped a beat, because I didn't like that they reported it," He added.
"I think it's wrong and bad and a lack of respect. People might say: "What, he (the spy) was out there filming." But I'll say it again: Football is decided on the football field, that's just the way it is."
