Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs after admitting to multiple breaches of EFL regulations for spying on opponents. The Independent Disciplinary Commission ruled that the club violated rules requiring utmost good faith and prohibiting observation of another club's training session within 72 hours of a match.
Middlesbrough Reinstated
Middlesbrough have been reinstated in the play-offs and will now contest Saturday's final against Hull City. It has been reported that Southampton plan to appeal the ruling.
Spying Incidents
Southampton admitted to spying on Middlesbrough ahead of their play-off semi-final first leg, as well as on Oxford United before a 2-1 defeat on Boxing Day and Ipswich Town before a 2-2 draw in April. The club also faced suspicion over a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City on December 29, though no evidence of spying was presented for that match.
The timeline has cast doubt on Southampton's remarkable run of form, which saw them lose only once in their final 25 matches of the season, a narrow FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City.
EFL Sanctions
The EFL imposed a four-point deduction on Southampton from the start of next season and plan to resolve any appeal by Wednesday. Their statement said: "Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday's fixture."
