Southampton expelled from Championship playoff final, docked 4 points for spying

Southampton has been expelled from the Championship playoff final and deducted four points for spying on Middlesbrough and two other opponents, the English Football League announced.

An independent disciplinary commission imposed the punishment after Southampton admitted to multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to unauthorized filming of opponents’ training sessions.

The breaches involved fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026, and Middlesbrough in May 2026, according to the EFL.

As a result, Middlesbrough, who lost to Southampton in the semifinals, will now face Hull City for a place in the Premier League. The final remains scheduled for Saturday at Wembley Stadium.

Southampton has appealed the decision, and the commission aims to resolve the appeal by the end of Wednesday.

Middlesbrough had demanded Southampton’s expulsion from the playoffs after reporting that a Southampton analyst was caught hiding in bushes and recording their training session two days before the first leg.

The EFL charged Southampton after an investigation, and the club admitted to the breaches. The punishment includes a four-point deduction for the current season.

Boro continued training while awaiting the disciplinary outcome, knowing they could be reinstated. The playoff final between Middlesbrough and Hull will now determine promotion to the Premier League.