Southampton EXPELLED from Championship play-off final over Spygate scandal – with Middlesbrough to face Hull in £200m Premier League promotion showdown
Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-off final after admitting to spying on multiple rivals.
In a sensational development to the Spygate scandal, broken by Daily Mail Sport on May 7, an independent disciplinary commission has removed Tonda Eckert’s side from this weekend’s Wembley final. The club has also been hit with a four-point deduction ahead of next season.
Middlesbrough, who raised a complaint when their training was spied on 48 hours before the semi-final first leg, will take their place in the final against Hull City.
Daily Mail Sport revealed that an individual had been confronted by Middlesbrough staff after he was spotted hiding behind a tree with an iPhone pointing towards their session. He ran into a nearby golf club, changed clothes in the toilet and fled the area.
The EFL charged the south coast club with a breach of their rules and we later revealed a picture of the Southampton first-team analyst, William Salt, caught filming training.
At a hearing on Tuesday, the club admitted to spying on three Championship clubs this season, which raises serious questions over the future of Eckert.
Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-off final over the Spygate scandal
A Southampton analyst hiding behind a tree to spy on Middlesbrough’s training session
Middlesbrough will now face Hull City in the play-off final, subject to an appeal
An EFL statement read: ‘An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.
‘In addition, the Club has received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table, alongside a reprimand in respect of all the charges.
‘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 kick-off time to be confirmed.
‘Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025/26 season. Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated.
‘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 admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.
‘Southampton has a right to appeal the Commission’s decision in accordance with EFL Regulations and the parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May. Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture.
‘The EFL is now in discussion with all three Clubs regarding the implications of today’s decision and will make a further announcement in due course.’
