Southampton kicked out of Championship play-off final over spying scandal

Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs for spying, and Middlesbrough will now face Hull City in the final at Wembley on Saturday. Southampton, who had beaten Boro 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals , admitted multiple breaches of Football League regulations and said they were guilty of unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training sessions. Southampton have been punished by the English Football League (PA) An independent disciplinary commission has also given Southampton a four-point deduction, which will apply to next season’s Championship, as well as ending their chance of promotion this season, which could be worth £200m.

Southampton launched an immediate appeal, which will be heard on Wednesday. As they had pleaded guilty, the appeal is against the severity of the punishment. But Middlesbrough, who had called for Southampton to be thrown out of the play-offs after catching an intern analyst filming from behind a tree, got their wish.

Kim Hellberg’s side have continued training since their 2-1 defeat at St Mary’s last week so that they would be ready in case they were readmitted to the play-offs. “Middlesbrough Football Club welcomes the outcome of today’s Disciplinary Commission hearing,” a statement said. “We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct.

As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday. Middlesbrough will now face Hull in the Championship play-off final (Reuters) Hellberg had accused Southampton of cheating while Boro had made a formal complaint to the EFL on 7 May. The Football League then charged Southampton five days later, referring the matter to a three-person commission.