Middlesbrough release strong statement calling for Southampton to be banned from playoff final

Middlesbrough release a strong statement calling for Southampton to be banned from the Championship playoff final.

Boro state that they won’t be involved in the hearing, but they add that removing Southampton is the correct sanction for the breach.

The English Football League have confirmed the independent hearing into Spygate to determine Southampton’s Championship playoff final fate will take place on or before Tuesday the 19th of May.

Southampton won the playoff semi-final 2nd leg against Middlesbrough 2-1 on aggregate, a dramatic 116th minute winner at St Mary’s Stadium on Tuesday.

Last Thursday, Middlesbrough reported Southampton performance analyst William Salt for spying on their training session, and a photo has since emerged, allegedly of him at Rockliffe Park, a breach of EFL rules, observing Southampton’s opponents within 72 hours of a match.

The EFL have so far charged Southampton with misconduct, with possible penalties including being handed a fine, points deductions, or even expulsion from the playoff final.

A statement from the club.

— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) May 15, 2026

CLUB STATEMENT:

Middlesbrough FC notes the decision of the Disciplinary Commission not to permit the club to intervene in the proceedings brought by the EFL against Southampton FC.

The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact.

The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition. In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final.

We remain hopeful that the EFL, as regulator, will pursue such a sanction before the Disciplinary Commission in order to protect the integrity of the game, safeguard all member clubs, and deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.

The club reserves all its legal rights.

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Here’s how fans reacted as Middlesbrough release a strong statement calling for Southampton to be banned from the playoff final…

@StozUTB: That is some statement and a half

@Boro_Breakdown: Gwannnn

@Jrs97__: Cracking statement. The right and only correct sanction is to remove them from the playoffs. If that’s doesn’t happen all integrity is lost. Gibbo won’t go down without a fight

@Willis64761622: Had 210 minutes of football to put it right lads 🤣

@nickyrafferty13: Strong statement, watch this space then I suppose. Said for a few days now it’s not even particularly about us getting in over them. However the word you used “Integrity” should be crucial to whichever decision the @EFL make

@jakthelad95: MY FUCKING CLUB ❤️❤️❤️❤️ do you know what else….. no where in that statement does it state that boro should be reinstated if they’re kicked off! So to all you saints fans saying otherwise….. 🥱🥱

@lilliebrownspt: A strong statement from the club, and one that had to be made given all the rumours. We stand together as fans of Middlesbrough FC and the EFL in this moment to condemn Southampton for their actions. A harsh punishment sets the precedent of cheating in the EFL. UTB🔴⚪️

@Boroshirts: So proud of my football club right now. No matter that happens, what nasty comments get made. Sporting integrity for all the leagues members is what it’s all about.

@JLA2792: Anyone else just bored of this? Saints won on merit. Their spy didn’t stop Conway missing 3 sitters in the first leg. Fine them, dock them points and move the fuck on. It’s the fans that suffer

@JaydeK19: Maybe buy a striker that can actually hit a bar door and take advantage of 210 minutes on the pitch you had to actually win the game! Just a thought #saintsFC #boro

@jordan323323: Should’ve beat us over two legs. If only ya put the energy into that instead of leaking stuff to the media for a week you might’ve done so. #Saintsfc

@AydenUTB: Gwan Boro, go for the fucking jugular. Clever post tbf….Applying more pressure on the EFL basically saying they can get fucked if they think they’re gonna brush this under the carpet by not allowing boro have a say in the hearing. #boro #saintfc

@CaineToad_: Not sure how all the other Boro fans feel but it wouldn’t feel right if we played in the final even if the opposition cheated. We lost, end of. I’d rather they just automatically promote Hull and call it a day.

@NiickLane: Not good enough for top 2, not good enough to make the final, honking form to end the season and now want a 2nd chance cause some fella with an iPhone was watching them train. Another level of shamelessness

@UTFB97: I don’t understand how we aren’t allowed to be involved when the offense committed is relating to us. Yes, its an EFL rule break, but it involves us. Truthfully, I’d be happy with them being removed with no effect on boro. They need to be punished

@FootballMartin_: So if they throw us out and Boro go and beat Hull, does that open a massive can of worms with Hull? Hull may well fancy their chances against us more than Boro especially considering they beat us twice. #SaintsFC