Southampton have been EXPELLED from the playoffs and receive a points deduction, with Middlesbrough reinstated.
The Saints will now not be playing in the Championship playoff final, and are also docked 4 points for the 2026/27 season for spying not just on Middlesbrough training before the playoffs semi-finals but also before playing Oxford in December and Ipswich in April.
Middlesbrough will now face Hull City on Saturday in the final at Wembley for a place in the Premier League. Southampton have appealed the disciplinary hearing verdict.
🚨 UPDATE: Southampton have appealed the disciplinary hearing verdict after being expelled from the Championship play-offs.
The verdict means Middlesbrough will now face Hull City on Saturday in the final at Wembley for a place in the Premier League, while Southampton will start… pic.twitter.com/04R7L4kB5g
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) May 19, 2026
An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.
In addition, the Club has received a… pic.twitter.com/VxyXFk48BA
— EFL Communications (@EFL_Comms) May 19, 2026
EFL STATEMENT:
An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.
In addition, the Club has received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table, alongside a reprimand in respect of all the charges.
The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 Play-Offs and will proceed to the Play-Off Final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.
Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025/26 season. Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated.
Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. The admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.
Southampton has a right to appeal the Commission’s decision in accordance with EFL Regulations and the parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May. Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture.
The EFL is now in discussion with all three Clubs regarding the implications of today’s decision and will make a further announcement in due course.
The Commission’s full written reasons will also be published in due course.
MIDDLESBROUGH STATEMENT:
Middlesbrough Football Club welcomes the outcome of today’s Disciplinary Commission hearing.
We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct.
As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday.
Ticket information for our supporters will be available shortly.
A statement from MFC:
Middlesbrough Football Club welcomes the outcome of today’s Disciplinary Commission hearing.
We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct.
As a club, we are now focused on our game against… pic.twitter.com/6cjskjZKDY
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) May 19, 2026
BREAKING: Southampton have been expelled from the play-off final 🚨
Middlesbrough have been reinstated for Saturday’s showdown at Wembley against Hull City ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/HnG6eAhvcl
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 19, 2026
Kaveh Solhekol said: “Southampton have been expelled from the championship playoff. We’ve just had that confirmed by the EFL.
“They’ve released a statement after an independent commission heard allegations today that Southampton had broken two of the EFL’s rules.
“One was regarding spying on their opponents. The other one was always acting with utmost good faith towards the other clubs in the EFL.
“The statement says that Southampton would expel after they admitted to multiple breaches of the EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs training.
“In addition to being expelled from the playoffs, Southampton have also been given a four point deduction, which will be applied next season in the Championship table.
“Now, the playoff final is going to go ahead on Saturday at Wembley Stadium and Middlesbrough will be taking Southampton’s place.
“It will be Hull City versus Middlesbrough on Saturday.
“We’ve been told that Southampton were first charged on Friday the 8th of May with spying at Middlesbrough’s training ground.
“But just a few days ago on Sunday, they were charged with additional breaches relating to other incidents of spying on their opponents during the season that has just finished.
“Southampton admitted breaches of regulations requiring clubs to act with utmost good faith towards other clubs and also breaking the rule about spying on their opponents in relation to these fixtures against Oxford United in December, Ipswich Town in April just a couple of months ago and also Middlesbrough this month. Now I have to point out that Southampton do have the right to appeal
“But this appeal has to be heard very, very quickly. And the EFL say that the parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday the 20th of May. That is tomorrow.”
Southampton’s appeal will be heard by a new three person panel.
Since they admitted to spying, the appeal is therefore merely on the size of the punishment.
It has to be heard tomorrow.
Surely they can’t be reinstated?!
— Sanny Rudravajhala (@Sanny_Rudra) May 19, 2026
Sky Sports News understand that Southampton have already lodged their appeal to the commissions findings and will be fighting the decision to expel them from the Play-Off final 🚨 pic.twitter.com/N5JL2Lr3Rr
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 19, 2026
Here’s how fans reacted with Southampton EXPELLED from the playoffs and receive a points deduction; Middlesbrough are reinstated and will play Hull in the playoff final…
@RhysTheSaint: Arsenal have just won the Premier League and its not even the biggest bit of footballing news today 🤣🤣 #SaintsFC
@ValleyFloydFred: Any Southampton fans angry at the EFL should turn their ire at their own club and its leadership. Stupid decisions within your own club just cost you at least £200m
@_ROMemorabilia_: Don’t support either team but it’s always the fans who end up 💩 on as they won’t get travel or hotel money back. Southampton fans were making fun of the situation for the past week but they will unfortunately have egg on their face this evening. Utter madness the full thing.
@Southamptonia: Absolutely disgusting.. utterly embarrassed and never have I been so ashamed to be a #saintsfc supporter. The run, Tonda’s heroics, it all means nothing now. The amount of money spent on travelling to games home and away this season, fans lose out the most as per usual
@nepdailypod: Hull have had to prepare for either Southampton or Boro for a week now… Boro lost and still knew they only needed to prepare for Hull. Absolutely disgraceful decision.
@AJafclifton: Shocking that Boro get a free pass. If Southampton kicked out, they should concede to Hull and they go up. Boro don’t deserve a second chance
@AdamP1242: Football has won tonight, disgusting cheating from Southampton against multiple clubs have been correctly punished by the EFL ✅ Management, players, ball boys and supporters at Southampton all shown a lack of class in the semi final second leg towards Middlesbrough
@weegertronx: Been a Saints fan for nigh on 55 years. Have the vaguest memory of going to the 76 parade. The 9-0’s. The double drop. Administration. The 12 points. Nothing as bad as this though. Fans suffer. Players suffer. Rip out the whole coaching team. Nothing less. #saintsfc
Surely this could be the most embarrassing moment of all time from Taylor Harwood Bellis then pic.twitter.com/K4ql76tKHJ https://t.co/V9hGscWQys
— ben (@bennufc_18) May 19, 2026
Taylor Harwood-Bellis celebrated like this in front of Middlesbrough players not long after making fun of Luke Ayling’s speech impediment, Southampton have now been kicked out of the play off final 7 days later…
Karma is an incredible thing… 🤣 pic.twitter.com/6N3izRb6CO
— Football Away Days (@AwayDaysFB) May 19, 2026
Regardless of whether Southampton have done wrong or not, how can they expel them so close to the game?
Fans will have spent money booking trains, tickets and hotels. You really do have to feel for them. 🤯🫣 pic.twitter.com/3H6TOIOUQN
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) May 19, 2026
