Southampton expelled from play-offs for spying
Southampton have been thrown out of the play-offs after admitting they spied on three clubs during the Championship season. Middlesbrough, beaten by Southampton in the semi-final, have been reinstated and will now play Hull City for a place in the Premier League. The EFL charged Saints with watching training sessions involving Oxford United and Ipswich Town, in addition to filming Middlesbrough as they prepared for the first leg of their play-off semi-final on 7 May.
The independent disciplinary commission also handed Southampton a four-point deduction in the Championship for next season. Saints will now miss out on a game dubbed the richest in world football, with the winners of the play-off final guaranteed a minimum £110m in Premier League broadcast revenue. The final will remain on Saturday at Wembley with the kick-off time to be confirmed.
Southampton admitted to "multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs' training", the EFL said. The club have also received a reprimand in respect of all the charges. Sources have confirmed to BBC Sport that Southampton will lodge an appeal on Wednesday and will argue the punishment is disproportionate.
The EFL said it would be "working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday, 20 May". It added that "subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday's fixture". The appeal will be heard by an Independent League Arbitration panel with three new members.
The EFL said in a statement: "Southampton was first charged on Friday, 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday, 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025-26 season. "Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated. "Southampton admitted breaches of regulations requiring clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match.