Play-off final may be delayed by Spygate hearing

Southampton are due to face Hull City in the play-off final for a place in the Premier League next season. The EFL is working on the basis that the final will go ahead as planned, with a kick-off time of 16:30 BST, but has said "supporters should be aware that the outcome of disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture". Could Southampton be kicked out of play-offs over Spygate?

Should the match need to be rescheduled due to the outcome of the hearing and any subsequent appeal process, the EFL says it has a "number of contingency plans" available. The Championship fixture is the first of three play-off finals held across three days at Wembley, with the League One and Two versions due to be held on the Sunday and Monday, respectively. The stadium is booked out the following weekend, when the Rugby League Challenge Cup final will be played on 30 May and the Women's FA Cup final on 31 May.

A major music event takes place at the stadium on the following weekend on Saturday 6 June. The hearing, conducted by a three-person panel, will be managed by Sport Resolutions, an independent mediation company. The EFL has asked for an expedited hearing to accommodate next Saturday's final while Southampton have argued they need time for an internal review.

All parties categorised by the commission as holding an interest in the case - which could include Middlesbrough - will have a right of appeal, but any ruling from an appeal is considered final as EFL rules do not permit cases to be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. There is currently no framework in place regarding a suitable sanction should Southampton be found guilty. Possible options include a fine, a points deduction or throwing Southampton out of the play-offs.