Online Reporter
SOUTHAMPTON have had their appeal against their Championship play-off final expulsion denied by the EFL.
The Saints were originally booted from their Wembley fixture on Tuesday and slapped with a four-point deduction for next season after admitting multiple breaches of EFL regulations.
And after an immediate appeal by the side, the independent disciplinary commission’s decision has now been upheld by a League Arbitration Panel, meaning the Saints will not feature in the final on Saturday.
The governing body released a statement that read: “A league arbitration panel has tonight dismissed Southampton Football Club’s appeal against the independent Disciplinary Commission’s sanction following the admittance of multiple breaches of EFL regulations.
“The determination means that the original sanction of expulsion from the Sky Bet Championship Play-offs remains in place, as does the four-point deduction to be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table and the reprimand in respect of all charges.”
The EFL added that the disciplinary commission and the arbitration panel’s written reasons behind their decision will be published in due course.
The final between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley has now been confirmed as a 3.30pm kick-off on Saturday.
Southampton have released a statement voicing their disappointment with the decision, writing: “Southampton Football Club has this evening been informed that the EFL’s League Arbitration Panel has upheld the sanctions imposed earlier this week. As a result, the club will not participate in Saturday’s Championship Play-Off Final.
“This is an extremely disappointing outcome for everybody connected with Southampton Football Club.
“We know how painful this moment will be for our supporters, players, staff, commercial partners and the wider community who have given so much backing to the team throughout the season and we apologise once again to everyone impacted by this. “While we fully acknowledge the seriousness of this matter and the scrutiny that has followed, the club has consistently believed the original sporting sanction was disproportionate, a view that has been widely shared by many in the football community over the last 24 hours.
“We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to our supporters for the support, patience and loyalty they have shown throughout an incredibly difficult period.
“We will share information as soon as possible in relation to ticket refunds for those who bought tickets to Wembley.“Southampton Football Club has a proud history and strong foundations, but it is clear that trust now needs to be rebuilt. That work begins immediately.
“The club will reflect carefully on the events that have led to this point, learn from them and take the necessary steps to move forward responsibly.“While tonight is a painful moment, this football club will respond with humility, accountability and determination to put things right.”
The controversy stemmed from an incident in which a figure was caught filming a training session of their Play-off semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.The figure, later identified as club intern Will Salt, left after being confronted by club staff, igniting a bitter row dubbed “Spygate 2.0.”
Things were not helped when Southampton, managed by Tonda Eckert, dumped Boro out of the competition last week with an aggregate score of 2-1. Defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis even appeared to celebrate the winner with a binoculars gesture, a potential hint at the Spygate controversy. — Sun.
