Middlesbrough: Championship club calls for Southampton's expulsion from play-offs

Key Points:

• Middlesbrough have called for Southampton to be expelled from the Championship play-off final due to allegations of spying at Boro's training ground before their semi-final match, a claim Southampton denies.
• An independent disciplinary hearing by the EFL is scheduled by 19 May to investigate the incident, but Middlesbrough will not be allowed to participate as an "interested party," limiting their ability to appeal the outcome.
• The alleged spying involved a Southampton staff member reportedly recording Middlesbrough's training session from a vantage point near Rockliffe Hall, raising serious concerns about sporting integrity and fair competition.
• Middlesbrough argue that only a sporting sanction, such as disqualification from the play-offs, would appropriately address the breach and deter future misconduct, as financial penalties would be insufficient.
• This case is unprecedented under EFL rules, with no clear sanctions established for spying offenses, leaving the disciplinary committee to make a subjective decision that could impact the scheduled play-off final on 23 May.