Middlesbrough want Southampton kicked out of play-offs over Spygate

Middlesbrough are not permitted to intervene in proceedings against Southampton Middlesbrough have called for Southampton to be expelled from the Championship play-off final over the Spygate saga that has dominated the English Football League's (EFL) end-of season showpiece. Southampton beat Boro in extra time in the second leg to reach the Wembley final on Saturday, 23 May against Hull City - but that may have to be rescheduled depending on the outcome of an independent panel's hearing. Boro will not be permitted to take part in the hearing brought by the EFL over Saints' alleged spying at their Rockliffe Park training ground last Thursday in the build-up to the first leg of the play-off semi-final at the Riverside.

They describe the conduct as going against "sporting integrity and fair competition" , external and believe that a sporting sanction is the only fair outcome. The hearing, conducted by an independent disciplinary committee, will take place on or before Tuesday, 19 May. But with Middlesbrough not allowed to be present, they are calling on the EFL to expel Southampton from the play-offs in the interests of fairness and to deter clubs from trying anything similar in future.

The statement added: "We remain hopeful that the EFL, as regulator, will pursue such a sanction to protect the integrity of the game, safeguard all member clubs, and deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League. " Could Southampton be kicked out of play-offs over Spygate?