POST-MATCH ANALYSIS | SOUTHAMPTON 5-1 MILLWALL

 

EFL MOURNS KENNY JACKETT | DEAD AT AGE 64

 

The EFL is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kenny Jackett, who has died at the age of 64.

Kenny managed over 750 games in the EFL, achieving promotions at the helm of Wolves, Millwall and Swansea.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to Kenny’s family and friends at this difficult time.

#EFL

SOUTHAMPTON EXPELLED FROM EFL PLAYOFF FINAL AFTER SPYING

Southampton were on Tuesday expelled from the Championship play-off final after admitting to spying on a training session of semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.

Southampton have been kicked out of the Championship playoffs after being found guilty of spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, the English Football League said on ‌Tuesday.

Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 to Southampton in the two-legged semi-final, have been re-instated ‌and will now face Hull City on Saturday in ‌what is ⁠dubbed the ‌world's richest football match.

Promotion to ‌the Premier League is estimated to be worth in the region ⁠of 200 million pounds ($268.10 million) over three seasons. Southampton, who admitted the charges, were also found guilty of filming training sessions involving Oxford United in December and Ipswich Town in April during the regular season. They have also been deducted four points for the start of next season in England's second tier.

"An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Championship play-offs after the club admitted multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming ‌of other clubs' training," the ⁠EFL said.

"Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. The effect of today's order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 play-offs and will proceed to the play-off final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kickoff time to be confirmed."

The EFL confirmed that Southampton could appeal against the decision and that "parties are ‌working to try and ‌resolve any appeal on May ⁠20. "Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further ⁠change to Saturday's fixture," ⁠the statement said.

Middlesbrough had called for Southampton's expulsion after having a training session filmed ahead of the first leg of their playoff semi-final with Southampton which ended 0-0.

The club said it welcomed the decision. "We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct," Middlesbrough said in a statement. "As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday."

Southampton were relegated from the Premier League last season and were struggling in the early part of this campaign until a storming finish in which they went unbeaten in 19 league games to finish fourth and enter ‌the playoffs.

- REUTERS/LONDON

SOUTHAMPTON CHARGED BY EFL AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF SPYING ON MIDDLESBROUGH

 

The Riverside Stadium hosts the first leg between Middlesbrough and Southampton

Southampton have been charged with a breach of EFL regulations after being accused of spying on a Middlesbrough training session ahead of the two clubs' Championship play-off semi-final.

The English Football League had received a complaint from Middlesbrough over allegations of unauthorised filming by someone connected to Southampton during a training session ahead of Saturday’s first leg at the Riverside Stadium.

The incident had revived memories of an incident when the League issued a fine of £200,000 to Leeds for spying on a Derby training session before a match between the two clubs in January 2019.

An EFL statement on Friday night read: "Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.

"This follows a request from the EFL for the club’s observations after a complaint from Middlesbrough relating to alleged unauthorised filming on private property ahead of the two clubs meeting in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

"The charges relate to the following Regulations: EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith; and EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any club from observing, or attempting to observe, another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs.

"Under EFL Regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges.

"However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to shorten the response period and to list a hearing at the earliest opportunity.

"The League will make no further comment whilst proceedings are ongoing. "

Saints responded to the EFL charge, saying: "Southampton Football Club acknowledges the statement issued by the EFL in relation to alleged breaches of EFL Regulations.

"We can confirm that we will be fully cooperating with the League throughout this process.

"Given the ongoing nature of the matter, the club is unable to comment any further at this time."

Middlesbrough have been approached for comment by the Press Association.

Hull and Millwall met on Friday night in the other Championship semi-final, with the first leg being drawn 0-0.

Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic said he was completely unaware of the 'spygate' story surrounding Southampton.

"Why do you need to spy? We played already," Jakirovic said.

"I know everything about everything. What Middlesbrough will surprise (with?) He will put 14 players? What? Unbelievable. Really?"

Millwall manager Alex Neil said: "I would certainly comment on it if somebody from Hull was hiding in a tree videoing our training. Well, I might not have caught him yet!

"It doesn’t affect us, so I’m not going to get involved in that conversation."

The alleged incident has revived memories of when the League issued a fine of £200,000 to Leeds for a breach of its ‘good faith’ regulations in 2019.

Then Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa sent a spy to the Derby training ground before a match between the two clubs.

Bielsa, who faced fierce criticism for his actions and responded by delivering a lengthy press briefing outlining his coaching methods, paid the fine out of his own pocket.

- RTE | 100

CHAMPIONSHIP CLUBS REJECT THE USE OF VAR FOR NEXT SEASON

The Video Assistant Referee will not be in use for any games involving Preston next season.

It was believed that proposals had been put forward to introduce a version of the technology from the start of next season in the Championship.

AFP via Getty Images

But it’s now emerged clubs in the second tier have voted to reject the plans.

Football Video Support (FVS), a variation of VAR which needs fewer resources and gives each coach two reviews per game, could have been brought in from August.

It comes after the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) gave a presentation at the EFL's annual meeting last month.

According to the BBC, the EFL subsequently contacted the clubs to canvas feedback, but it was found there was no appetite for any version of VAR in the Championship.

It’s also claimed the idea of VAR in the Championship is “closed for the foreseeable future” and the idea is unlikely to be reviewed in a year’s time.

- Craig Salmon

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11 THINGS LEARNED FROM PREMIER LEAGUE'S 100-PAGE LEICESTER REPORT AS FOXES DOCKED POINTS

Leicester City have been handed a six-point deduction for breaching EFL rules and have dropped down to 20th place in the Championship table as a result.

Leicester City have been handed a six-point deduction (Image: Getty)

Leicester City have been handed a six-point deduction for the current Championship season, which drops them near the relegation zone, and the Premier League have released a 100-page commission report which details the complex legal battle between the Premier League (PL) and Leicester City FC (LCFC). The Foxes were found to have breached the EFL's profit and sustainability rules for the 2023/24 season and an independent commission recommended the six-point sanction, which was implemented by the EFL board today. Express Sport looks at seven takeaways from the Premier League's report...

1. £9.6million substitute

The report stated that if the EFL was "unwilling or unable" to enforce the recommended six-point deduction, the Commission would impose a £9.6million financial penalty as a substitute sanction. This figure was calculated to serve as a punishment and to vindicate other clubs that complied with the rules.

But the financial aspects discussed in the report are tied to the Rules B.18 and W.1 breaches (disclosure) rather than being a direct "buy-out" for the points deduction, which the EFL has now ratified and applied immediately. So Leicester do not need to pay the fine as a result.

2. Breaches of disclosure obligations

Beyond the financial overspend, the Commission found LCFC in breach of disclosure rules (Rules B.18, W.1, and W.16).

Refusal to provide accounts: The club refused to provide its FY24 Annual Accounts when requested by the PL.

Jurisdictional defence: LCFC argued the PL had no power to request these accounts, but the Commission rejected this, noting that clubs remain bound by rules during investigations even after changing leagues.

3. The "37-month" dispute

A major technical argument centred on whether LCFC’s losses should be assessed over 36 or 37 months.

Accounting extension: Because LCFC changed its financial year-end in 2023, its audited accounts for the three-year period actually covered 37 months.

The difference: The PL alleged the overspend was £42.1 million over 37 months, compared to £23.6 million if only 36 months were counted.

Decision: The Commission ruled that the rules require assessment based on the actual "Annual Accounts," meaning the 37-month period stood.

4. Leicester’s competition law challenge

LCFC attempted to have the case thrown out by arguing the PL’s rules breached the Competition Act 1998.

Ground 1: They argued that applying EFL sanctioning guidelines to a club now in the PL was "unfair and disproportionate".

Ground 2: They challenged the "Variable Upper Loss Threshold," which sets different loss limits (£83m vs £105m) based on time spent in the Championship.

Outcome: The Commission rejected both grounds, ruling the measures were necessary to prevent clubs from "gambling" on promotion through overspending.

5. Mitigating and aggravating factors

The final six-point sanction was reached after weighing several factors:

Positive trend (Mitigation): LCFC received a one-point reduction because their losses were trending downwards, showing an intent to eventually comply.

Lack of "exceptional co-operation": The Commission denied further mitigation, noting that LCFC's legal tactics had "disrupted and delayed" the investigation.

Sporting Advantage: The PL argued that by overspending, LCFC avoided having to sell star players at "undervalues," which helped them stay competitive in the Championship.

6. Legal "U-turns"

The report highlights that LCFC’s legal position shifted significantly during the hearing. Initially, the club argued for a delayed points deduction (to be served only if they returned to the PL), but by the end of the trial, they argued the Commission had no power to impose any sporting sanction at all, pushing for a fine instead.

7. The "unprecedented" sanction

Leicester City expressed "profound disappointment" in their official statement, specifically calling out the Premier League for seeking what the club described as an "unprecedented" and "disproportionate" sanction.

The club argued that the league’s pursuit of a six-point deduction (on top of the threat of a massive fine) ignored the unique circumstances of their transition between divisions and represented an attempt by the Premier League to exert "overreaching authority" beyond its jurisdiction.

8. The "double jeopardy" argument

 Leicester’s legal team argued that they were being punished twice for the same financial period—once by the EFL (who previously placed them under a registration embargo) and now by the Premier League. The Commission rejected this, ruling that an EFL embargo is a "compliance tool" while a points deduction is a "punishment," meaning they are legally distinct.

9. The "fair play" definition

A significant portion of the 100 pages is dedicated to defining what "fair play" actually means in a financial context. The Premier League argued that Leicester’s overspend wasn't just a numbers error, but a "deliberate choice" to maintain a squad they could not afford, thereby gaining a sporting advantage over clubs that stayed within their means.

The 100-page report also goes into exhaustive detail about the "March 2025 Arbitration Tribunal," which was the turning point that allowed the Premier League to investigate a club that was technically in the Championship at the time of the breach.

10. Implications for future cases

The report sets a legal precedent for "relegated/promoted" clubs. It confirms that the Premier League retains the power to punish a club for a breach that occurred while they were a member, even if that club is now in a different league (the EFL) by the time the verdict is reached.

11. Executive testimony

The report references testimony from Leicester’s senior leadership. It highlights that the club felt "trapped" by high player wages and long-term contracts signed during their years of success (including their European campaigns), arguing that the "cliff-edge" of relegation made it impossible to balance the books quickly enough to meet the 37-month deadline.

- Charlie Malam

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SHEFFIELD UNITED'S PLAYERS TAKE STEPS TO ARREST FROM SLUMP AMID ",INSANE" LEEDS UNITED, BURNLEY PROMOTION FIGHT

His side may travel to Plymouth Argyle tomorrow on the back of successive defeats at a crucial stage of the promotion race, but Chris Wilder remains adamant that Sheffield United’s season is not over just yet. Tuesday night’s home loss to Millwall saw the Blades drop out of the automatic promotion places with just five games of the regular campaign still to go.

Just two points separate United from the top two, Leeds United and Burnley, with the Blades still to visit Turf Moor on Easter Monday in a clash that is growing in importance by the week. For so long the hunted, United have become the hunters on the final straight of the promotion race but United’s mentality has not changed too much, with their players calling a private meeting this week in a bid to arrest their mini-slump in form.

“I should imagine there'll have been the same situations at all three clubs battling it out,” said Wilder of the pressure of a promotion bid. “We've all had to deal with that. We [all three managers] have all had success personally but it's a new group for me and for Scott [Parker], while Dan's [Daniel Farke] had a season with Leeds United as well.

“We're all in the same situation, with the twists and turns. So keeping calm is important. But for all three clubs to be on 85 points - and I'm not trying to be clever about this now, I'm going on wins and points - at this stage of the season is insane, really, with five games to go.

“We all have the opportunity to win 100 points [although United can only theoretically finish on 98 with their minus-two point deduction]. The points tally is incredible and all have had to do a lot of things right.

“The tally we've got is an incredible achievement. I can't do anything about the narrative and the noise, as we talk about it, from social media and saying ‘We haven't done this and that.’ We own the last two defeats. But we own the 26 wins and the 85 points as well.”

Wilder was delighted to see his players take ownership of the situation earlier this week. “The players had a team meeting yesterday which I’m all over because it shows they're taking responsibility. That isn't me distancing from them, but they're so desperate. The players in this situation need to be as cold as ever ... that's what the best players do.”

- Danny Hall

EFL SPOKESPERSON ON 'TRICKY' CARABAO FOOTBALL

 

IN-STADIUM VAR ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE TRIALLED IN CARABAO CUP SEMI-FINALS

Carabao Cup Trophy / IMAGO / Propaganda Photo

In-stadium VAR announcements are to be trialled for the first time in English football in the Carabao Cup semi-finals next week.

Arsenal’s semi-final first leg at home against Newcastle will be the first game to trial the announcements, when a referee explains over the stadium’s public address system their final decision following a visit to the pitch-side monitor.

There will also be announcements upon the conclusion of factual matters such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside judgments. Only the final decision will be announced in the stadium and not the entire VAR process that Howard Webb, head of referees for PGMOL, runs through on the Mic’d Up programme.

The pilot scheme, which accompanies the arrival of VAR into this stage of the Carabao Cup, is part of the PGMOL’s attempts to provide more transparency and understanding around key decisions in the game. Referees have been preparing for its introduction by taking part in match-related exercises at stadiums of professional clubs. The technology has the support of the EFL, which collaborated with PGMOL on trialling VAR in 2018 before it was rolled out into the Premier League.

In-stadium VAR announcements were trialled at the Club World Cup and the Under-20s World Cup before being used for the first time at a major event at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. It is hoped the technology will bring more clarity to supporters inside the stadium and to television viewers at home.

The trial will run over both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-finals, with Newcastle visiting the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday and Tottenham hosting Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the following night. The second legs are at St James’ Park on 5 February and Anfield on 6 February.

- Andy Hunter