Southampton have requested more time to conduct an internal review after they were charged with spying on Championship play-off rivals Middlesbrough.
The English Football League has accused Saints of “observing, or attempting to observe, another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match” and not acting “with the utmost good faith” to another club.
Middlesbrough claim that a member of the Southampton coaching staff was found watching and recording a training session at their Rockliffe Park base on Thursday – two days before the teams drew 0-0 at Riverside Stadium in the first leg of their play-off semi-final.
Normally the south coast club would have 14 days to respond to the charges, but the EFL has asked the independent disciplinary commission for “a hearing at the earliest opportunity”.
The clubs meet at St Mary’s in the second leg on Tuesday evening, with the winners facing Hull City in the final at Wembley on 23 May.
“The club is fully co-operating with the EFL and the disciplinary commission, whilst also undertaking an internal review to ensure that all facts and context are properly understood,” said Southampton CEO Phil Parsons.
“Given the intensity of the fixture schedule and the short turnaround between matches, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly.
“We understand the discussion and speculation that has followed over recent days, but we also believe it is important that the full context is established before conclusions are drawn.”