Southampton Expelled from Championship Play-Offs for Spying

Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs after admitting to spying on three rival clubs during the 2025-26 season. Middlesbrough, whom Southampton defeated in the semi-finals, have been reinstated and will now play Hull City in the final at Wembley on Saturday.

The English Football League handed Southampton a four-point deduction for next season in addition to the expulsion. The club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs' training sessions.

The EFL charged Southampton with watching training sessions involving Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough on 7 May. The admitted breaches concern fixtures against those three clubs, none of which Southampton won.

The most recent incident took place two days before the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough. A Southampton analyst intern is reported to have stood at a raised area near the club's Rockliffe Park training ground and filmed the session using a mobile phone.

Middlesbrough issued a statement welcoming the outcome and said it sends a clear message about sporting integrity. Southampton supporters who had bought tickets for the final will receive a full refund. Southampton have lodged an appeal that will be heard by an Independent League Arbitration panel on Wednesday.

The EFL said it would work to resolve the appeal on 20 May and that the outcome could affect Saturday's fixture. " — EFL statement, 19 May 2026 (BBC News) The Football Association may still bring charges against individuals involved in the spying. Southampton's chief executive has told staff the club is confident it can reverse the decision.