2 weeks ago
Southampton person been expelled from nan Championship playoff last and docked 4 points for adjacent play for spying connected Middlesbrough and 2 different opponents.
An independent disciplinary commission handed down nan reward aft nan English Football League charged Southampton pinch a breach of its regulations. The EFL said Southampton had “admitted to aggregate breaches of EFL regulations related to nan unauthorised filming of different clubs’ training” and that nan admitted breaches “concern fixtures against Oxford United successful December 2025, Ipswich Town successful April 2026 and Middlesbrough successful May 2026”.
It intends Middlesbrough, who were beaten by Southampton successful nan semi-finals, are owed to look Hull for a spot successful nan Premier League. The last remains scheduled for Saturday astatine Wembley. Southampton person appealed and nan committee intends to resoluteness nan entreaty by nan extremity of Wednesday. “Subject to nan outcome, it could consequence successful a further alteration to Saturday’s fixture,” nan EFL said.
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Middlesbrough had demanded that Southampton beryllium kicked out of nan playoffs aft saying they had been nan victims of training-ground spying 2 days earlier their semi-final first-leg meeting.
Boro said they had caught a Southampton expert hiding successful nan bushes and signaling their training session. Boro person continued to train, knowing they could beryllium reinstated.
Southampton did not triumph immoderate of nan games that followed their spying, losing astatine Oxford and drafting astatine location to Ipswich and astatine Middlesbrough. They past hit Boro 2-1 successful nan 2nd leg.
