Football NewsMirror FootballUnverified source· 16 Aug 2026
Southampton start on -4 points after Spygate punishment
Southampton begin their Championship campaign at the bottom of the table before a ball is kicked.
Southampton
team
Competition
Championship
Opponent
Watford
Points deduction
-4
Reason
Spygate scandal
What happened. Southampton were handed a four-point deduction by an Independent Disciplinary Commission after admitting to multiple breaches of EFL regulations regarding good faith and sporting integrity.
- Club analysis staff filmed rival teams' closed training sessions without permission.
- Espionage targeted Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough.
- An analyst was caught hiding behind a tree filming Middlesbrough.
Southampton will start their season at the foot of the table, facing Watford in their opener.
In this story
Watford
