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Middlesbrough reprieve as Southampton expelled from EFL playoffs for spying
Press Association • May 20th, 2026 6:38 am
Southampton | Photo: AP
Southampton have been expelled from the EFL Championship play-off final, the match that decides who joins England's lucrative Premier League, after admitting to spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.
Saints have also been docked four points, to take effect from the start of next season.
Middlesbrough are now set to take on Hull in Sunday's (NZ time) play-off final at Wembley, pending any appeal from Southampton.
Prior to the goalless first leg of their May 9 play-off semi-final Middlesbrough reported to the EFL that a member of Southampton staff had spied on a training session on May 7, in breach of league rules.
Middlesbrough's Sol Brynn was distraught after the play-off semi-final but his team are reprieved | Photo: AP
The EFL charged them the following day. Southampton went on to win the semi-final 2-1 on aggregate after extra time in the second leg.
Southampton have confirmed to the Press Association they will appeal the sanctions, laid down by an independent commission, which heard the case on Tuesday.
The EFL said the parties were working to ensure an appeal could be heard on Wednesday.
"Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday's fixture," the EFL said.
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The EFL confirmed further charges had been laid against Southampton on Sunday, and that Southampton had admitted observing training sessions ahead of matches against Oxford last December and Ipswich in April 2026, as well as the one before the Boro game.
The EFL said the written reasons for the commission's sanctions would be issued in due course, and that it would now hold further discussions with the three clubs regarding the implications of the decision.
Middlesbrough, who had called last week for Southampton to be kicked out over the scandal, issued a statement welcoming the decision, adding: "We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct."
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