Matt Le Tissier claims Southampton ‘on trial for murder for stealing Mars bar’ as he questions ‘Spygate’ verdict

Southampton have been sensationally expelled from the Sky Bet Championship play-offs, a decision that has sparked outrage and disbelief among football figures, including club legend Matthew Le Tissier, who described the punishment as akin to a “murder trial for stealing a chocolate bar.”

The club’s removal from Saturday’s Wembley final against Hull, with beaten semi-finalists Middlesbrough taking their place, follows Southampton’s admission of spying on Boro before the first leg. This, alongside multiple breaches of EFL regulations, led to the independent disciplinary commission’s drastic ruling.

Chief executive Phil Parsons has issued an apology for the club’s actions but vehemently criticised the severity of the sanction.

Parsons labelled the punishment “manifestly disproportionate to every previous sanction in the history of the English game,” a sentiment echoed by Le Tissier. The former Saints star, who has been working in an advisory capacity for the club, expressed his shock to The Sun.

“Personally I try to put a neutral hat on but I feel like the punishment does feel a bit disproportionate,” he stated.

Le Tissier elaborated on his strong feelings, saying: “It feels like you’ve been put on trial for murder when all you’ve done is stolen a Mars bar from the corner shop. That’s kind of what it feels like to me.”

He acknowledged the club’s wrongdoing and acceptance of a penalty, but highlighted the widespread surprise at the “disproportionate” nature of the punishment relative to the offence.

The severity of the decision also drew surprise from former England internationals Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on The Rest is Football podcast.

Lineker commented: “I have to say, I’m not sure the crime warrants this punishment. I mean, it’s got like a little guy with an iPhone filming. It’s gone on forever that sort of thing and I don’t really know what anyone gets out of it.”

He conceded it was rule-breaking but suggested: “A giant fine would have probably sufficed, I would think.”

Shearer, a former Southampton striker himself, concurred ahead of the club’s appeal.

“I’m with you in terms of the crime and the punishment,” he said, recalling Marcelo Bielsa’s 2019 ‘spygate’ incident at Leeds, which resulted in a fine and rule changes. “I was expecting more of a huge fine rather than full expulsion from the final.”

While acknowledging the “bonkers” and “stupid” nature of Southampton’s actions, Shearer noted Middlesbrough’s aggressive pursuit of the case, stating: “I know Middlesbrough went full-in in terms of going after Southampton, and I guess you would if you feel that strongly and you’ve been hurt or they feel as if they’ve been damaged that much.”