Southampton have been expelled from the Championship playoff final and docked four points for next season after admitting to spying on Middlesbrough and two other opponents. An independent disciplinary commission handed down the punishment following an English Football League investigation.
Breaches of EFL regulations
The EFL charged Southampton with multiple breaches of its regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs' training sessions. The admitted breaches involved fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026, and Middlesbrough in May 2026. Southampton did not win any of those matches, losing at Oxford and drawing at home to Ipswich and at Middlesbrough. They later beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in the second leg of the semi-final.
Consequences for the playoff final
As a result, Middlesbrough, who were beaten by Southampton in the semi-finals, will now face Hull City for a place in the Premier League. The final remains scheduled for Saturday at Wembley. Southampton have appealed the decision, and the commission aims to resolve the appeal by the end of Wednesday. The EFL stated: Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday's fixture.
Middlesbrough's demand
Middlesbrough had demanded that Southampton be kicked out of the playoffs after claiming they were victims of training-ground spying two days before their semi-final first-leg meeting. Boro said they caught a Southampton analyst hiding in bushes and recording their training session. Boro have continued training, knowing they could be reinstated.
