Southampton expelled from Championship play-offs over ‘Spygate’, Middlesbrough reinstated

Key Points:

• Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-off final after admitting to unauthorized spying on other clubs' training sessions, leading to Middlesbrough being reinstated in the final against Hull City.
• The English Football League's Independent Disciplinary Commission imposed a four-point deduction on Southampton for the 2026-27 season and confirmed breaches related to filming training sessions before matches against Oxford United, Ipswich Town, and Middlesbrough.
• Middlesbrough welcomed the decision, emphasizing its importance for sporting integrity, while Southampton plans to appeal the ruling; the final will be held at Wembley Stadium on May 23, with kick-off time yet to be announced.
• The spying incident involved a Southampton analyst attending Middlesbrough's training 48 hours before their play-off semi-final match, supported by photographic evidence and testimony from a former Southampton staff member.
• The Championship play-off final winner secures promotion to the Premier League, with an estimated minimum of £200 million in broadcast revenue over three seasons, highlighting the high stakes of the competition.