Southampton expelled from Championship playoff final over spying breaches
The English Football League confirms Middlesbrough reinstated to face Hull City at Wembley, while Southampton prepares to appeal the disciplinary commission’s ruling.
Southampton has been expelled from the English Football League Championship playoff final following an admission that club staff spied on the training sessions of semifinal opponents Middlesbrough. The decision, issued by the EFL on Tuesday, removes the club from the fixture that determines the final promotion spot to the Premier League.
The disciplinary commission found that a member of Southampton’s coaching staff was caught recording Middlesbrough’s training at Rockliffe Park on a mobile phone. The EFL confirmed that further charges have been laid against the club, which has also admitted to observing training sessions ahead of matches against Oxford United and Ipswich Town.
As a result of these multiple breaches of regulations regarding the unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training, Southampton has been docked four points for the 2026-27 season. The club, which was relegated from the Premier League last season and finished fourth in the Championship under manager Tonda Eckert, confirmed it intends to appeal the sanctions.
Middlesbrough has been reinstated in the competition and will now face Hull City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. The match is widely regarded as the most lucrative in world football, with the winner securing promotion and approximately £200 million ($268m) in extra income. Middlesbrough issued a statement welcoming the outcome, citing the importance of sporting integrity.
The EFL stated that parties are working to ensure Southampton’s appeal is heard on Wednesday. The governing body noted that the outcome of the appeal could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture, though the match remains scheduled to proceed as planned for now.
