Taylor Harwood-Bellis has expressed regret for taunting Middlesbrough players. The Southampton defender’s actions came after his side’s Championship play-off semi-final victory.
Harwood-Bellis was seen mimicking binoculars towards Middlesbrough’s Aidan Morris after Shea Charles scored in extra-time.
Harwood-Bellis’s Apology
Harwood-Bellis posted on his Instagram account: “As players, we are absolutely gutted, disappointed, and heartbroken that it’s come to this.”
He added, “I’d also like to put on record that, had I known the severity of the situation, I would never have done what I did on the pitch. In the moment, it was meant as a bit of fun in a situation that we as players were not informed about.”
He said: “As players, we are absolutely gutted, disappointed, and heartbroken that it’s come to this. We worked so hard as a group to provide the football that you fans deserve. For those of us involved in the relegation, it only fuelled our comeback.”
Southampton’s Sanctions and Harwood-Bellis’s Season
Southampton will remain a Championship side next season with a four-point deduction. This follows the EFL’s dismissal of their appeal against rulings stemming from spying on three clubs, including Middlesbrough.
Harwood-Bellis has been a key player for Eckert’s side this season. He made 48 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and assisting three.
Gratitude to the Fans
Harwood-Bellis acknowledged the fans’ support: “As fans, you’ve been unbelievable, our unbeaten run was driven by your passionate support. We didn’t start the season strongly, yet you still stood by us and believed in every single one of us.”
He concluded, “We can be proud that we battled through a tough Championship season together, and I’ll always be grateful for the support you gave us every step of the way.”