Southampton expelled from play-offs with Middlesbrough reinstated
FILE PHOTO - A fan in Camouflage seen ahead the English Sky Bet Championship play off semi-final soccer match between Southampton and Middlesbrough at St Mary's Stadium. Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs in relation to spying charges, while Middlesbrough have been reinstated and will play Hull in Saturday’s final. Andrew Matthews/PA Wire/dpa Southampton have been expelled from the play-offs to reach the Premier League and docked four points after admitting to spying on opponents Middlesbrough before their semi-final meeting.
Middlesbrough have been reinstated to the play-offs in a verdict from an independent commission, which heard the case on Tuesday. Middlesbrough reported to the English Football League that a member of Southampton staff had spied on a training session on May 7, in breach of league rules, with the EFL charging them the following day. Middlesbrough are now set to take on Hull in Saturday’s Championship (second-tier) play-off final at Wembley, pending any appeal from Southampton.
The winner seals promotion to the Premier League.