Online Reporter
SOUTHAMPTON were sensationally kicked out of the Championship play-off final on Tuesday over the Spygate scandal — and replaced by Middlesbrough.
The EFL delivered their bombshell news after Saints admitted multiple counts of spying on rivals throughout this season.
But the South Coast side — who have sold 37,604 tickets for Saturday’s final at Wembley — immediately appealed.And a new three-man arbitration panel is set to decide on that on Wednesday.
Saints — bossed by Tonda Eckert — owned up to spying on Oxford and Ipswich before intern analyst William Salt was also caught red-handed recording a Boro training session on May 7 — two days before the play-off semi-final first leg on Teesside.
As it stands, Boro, who lost 2-1 on aggregate, face Hull in a clash worth £215million to the winners.
If Saints — also hit with a four-point rap for next season — win their appeal, Saturday’s final could be postponed.
Southampton still feel confident of that as they believe the punishment does not fit the crime.
It would be a nightmare for EFL chiefs — as a midweek slot next week appears the only one available for Wembley to stage a rearranged final.
So an alternative neutral venue may be needed.
An EFL statement said: “An independent disciplinary commission expelled Southampton from the play-offs after the club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL rules over unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training. “The club also received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the 2026-27 Championship.
“Middlesbrough are reinstated into the play-offs and will proceed to the final against Hull.”
Saturday’s kick-off time will not be confirmed until the logistics of getting Boro, and their fans, to London are worked out.
Saints failed to beat any team they admitted spying on. They lost 2-1 to Oxford in December, drew 2-2 at home to Ipswich last month and the first leg with Boro ended 0-0.
The EFL added: “Southampton was first charged on May 8, with further charges issued on May 17 in relation to additional breaches during 2025-26.
“Those charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings were initiated.”
On the appeal, the EFL added “the outcome could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture”.
SunSport revealed the shock photo of the moment Salt was caught recording Boro from behind a tree at the Teessiders’ Rockcliffe HQ, less than 48 hours before the first leg kicked off.
Boro backed the ruling, while boss Kim Hellberg and his players remained on red alert for this scenario by returning to training on Monday.
A statement said: “The club welcomes the outcome of today’s hearing.
“We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct. We are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday.”
As exclusively revealed by Sun Sport last week, Saints boss Eckert could also be hit with a ban by The FA if he is found to have given the order to spy.
He, technical director Johannes Spors and spy Salt could all face FA disciplinary action, raising serious doubts over their futures at St Mary’s.
Sun Sport understands that text messages between Southampton employees provided incriminating evidence of spying during the hearing. – Sun
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