Middlesbrough lost to Southampton in the second leg of their play-off semi-final on Tuesday night.

Riley McGree put Kim Hellberg’s side ahead early on, but goals from Ross Stewart and Shea Charles clinched the win after the first leg ended 0-0.

The Teesside club’s promotion aspirations appear to be ended, while there is still possible that they will be reinstated in the play-offs if Southampton are relegated.

The Saints have been accused of spying on Boro’s pre-match training session before the first leg at the Riverside last week.

The EFL has charged Tonda Eckert’s team after an analyst was spotted photographing a training session by Middlesbrough staff.

An independent panel will now review the incident, with a decision due before the Wembley final on May 23, and expulsion is one of the possible punishments.

Southampton spy spot location disclosed.

Sky Sports said that the analyst who spied for Southampton was standing behind a tree near the Middlesbrough training facilities.

He is thought to have been about 100 yards away from where the first team squad was getting ready for their semi-final match against the Saints at home.

When the analyst was apprehended, he allegedly packed up his camera equipment, indicating that considerable surveillance was taking place prior to the critical event.

This has sparked much outrage among Boro fans, particularly following their defeat against St. Mary’s on Tuesday night.

Hellberg called the act “disgraceful” and expressed amazement that a rival club was spying on his team’s training.

Following Leeds United’s £200,000 fine for an incident involving Derby County in February 2019, the EFL implemented a rule prohibiting pre-match training session spying.

Middlesbrough will await the outcome of the investigation into Southampton’s claim, and it is likely that they will be restored for the final against Hull City.

The Tigers defeated Millwall 2-0 in the semi-finals and will now prepare for the titanic encounter at Wembley Stadium on May 23.

Southampton has been reported to accept the spying charge, however it is unclear whether they will get a fine or a sports consequence.

Middlesbrough is reportedly seeking a sporting penalty, which could entail a points deduction for next season rather than being eliminated from the play-offs.

Tensions are rising between Middlesbrough and Southampton.

It was evident throughout Tuesday night’s meeting at St. Mary’s that tensions between the two groups were high.

Middlesbrough’s players and coaching staff were obviously emotional following the defeat, and Hellberg was distraught during the post-match press conference.

The Teesside club now faces the potential of another year in the Championship, and it would be unusual for them to be given a second opportunity at promotion after losing to Southampton.

The fact that the analyst was supposedly hiding behind a tree highlights the absurdity of the situation and the lengths clubs will go to gain an advantage.