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

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.

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.