The Football Association will examine referee Andrew Madley’s report before deciding whether to open an investigation into Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis over alleged discriminatory conduct, the Press Association understands.
Middlesbrough defender Luke Ayling is reported to have informed Madley about a remark made to him by Harwood-Bellis, which prompted the referee to stop play during Tuesday night’s Sky Bet Championship play-off semifinal second leg, the report says.
Madley subsequently spoke to the managers of both teams, and the Press Association understands the FA will review his written account before determining whether further disciplinary action is warranted.
The incident comes amid wider off-field controversy for Southampton. The report notes the club already faces EFL charges over an allegation that a member of staff observed a Middlesbrough training session last week. Southampton’s 2-1 win on Tuesday progressed them to the play-off final against Hull on May 23, with promotion to the Premier League at stake, the report says.
Per the report, if an EFL independent commission finds Southampton guilty of the current charges any sporting sanction it recommends — including the possibility of a points penalty — can be applied by the Premier League. The report adds that the mechanism for sanctions to move between the leagues was used previously when a Premier League panel’s recommendation to deduct six points from Leicester was passed to the EFL board, which ratified that sanction.
