Soccer

FA to review referee report before making call on Taylor Harwood-Bellis probe

Published by Press Association Sport Staff

13, May

The Football Association will review referee Andrew Madley’s report before deciding whether to open an investigation into Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis over alleged discriminatory conduct.

Middlesbrough defender Luke Ayling is reported to have told Madley about a remark made to him by Harwood-Bellis, which led to the referee halting proceedings during Tuesday night’s Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final second leg.

Madley spoke to the teams’ managers and the Press Association understands the FA will review his report before determining whether to take further action.

v2-image-production-b889956289c30c839247fbae54b3b06cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzc4NzQ5Nzcz-2.84594904 — Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Middlesbrough’s Luke Ayling are spoken to by referee Andrew Madley (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Southampton already face EFL charges related to an allegation that a member of staff spied on a Middlesbrough training session last week.

Saints’ 2-1 victory on Tuesday night took them through to the play-off final against Hull on May 23, with a place in the Premier League on the line.

Should an EFL independent commission find Southampton guilty of the charges they face, any sporting sanction it recommends, such as a points penalty, can be applied by the Premier League.

The ability for sanctions to pass between the leagues was seen when a Premier League panel’s recommendation to dock Leicester six points for breaching financial rules was handed to the EFL board, which ratified the sanction.