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