Southampton have been kicked out of the 2026 Championship play-off final.
The Saints’ future had been in doubt after they were accused of spying on Middlesbrough ahead of their play-off semi-final. Tonda Eckert’s men beat Boro across two legs, seemingly booking their spot in the Wembley final against Hull City.
But the EFL had started investigations on Southampton before the first leg, charging the Saints for spying. And Southampton have now been found guilty.
Why have Southampton been kicked out of the play-offs?
Spygate
Southampton were set to travel to face Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Saturday 9th May. The squad planned to departure on the Friday, but a day before someone was spotted filming Middlesbrough’s training sessions.
The ‘spy’ was later revealed to be a Southampton analyst, identified through a picture on the club’s website. He was alleged to have parked at a golf club which backs onto Middlesbrough’s training ground, before finding a higher vantage point.
Reports claim the man was pointing his phone at the training session, wearing headphones — with Middlesbrough believing he was live-streaming. He was reportedly approached by a member of Middlesbrough staff, before deleting content off his run and running to the golf club and eventually leaving.
Middlesbrough’s club photographer took pictures of the spy, which allowed them to identify him as a member of Southampton’s staff. The pictures showed the spy had been partially hidden behind a tree, pupportedly filming with his phone.
After Middlesbrough reported the incident, Southampton were charged with breaking two regulations. The first (EFL Regulation 3.4) requires clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith. The second (EFL Regulation 127) prohibits any club from observing or attempting to observe another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs.
While the charge and investigations were ongoing, the football had to go on as normal. The first leg was a goalless draw but Southampton won the return fixture at St Mary’s 2-1.
But things were not done there. Southampton were taken to an independent disciplinary commission, with a variety of possible sanctions. The commission took place on Tuesday, and a decision was announced the same day.
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What did the disciplinary commission find?
Southampton admitted to have committed multiple breaches of EFL Regulations, related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training. But it wasn’t just Middlesbrough. Southampton were also found to have committed similar breaches against Oxford United in December 2025 and Ipswich Town in April 2026.
Those breaches were found as a result of the Middlesbrough investigation. The punishment was the most severe possible. Southampton have been expelled from the play-offs, losing their chance of contesting for a spot in the Premier League.
Southampton had finished fourth in the table, missing out on an automatic promotion spot by just four points. They were tied on 80 points with Middlesbrough, finishing ahead on goal difference.
The Saints have also been docked four points, which will come into play for the 2026-27 Championship season. Southampton do have a right to appeal, which they have taken up. It will look to be heard and decided by Wednesday — to allow preparation for the play-off final.
What have Southampton said?
There was silence from Southampton for some time, but they eventually released a statement from chief executive Phil Parsons.
Of the charges, it said: “What happened was wrong. The club has admitted breaches of EFL Regulations 3.4 and 127. We are sorry to the other clubs involved, and most of all to the Southampton supporters whose extraordinary loyalty and support this season deserved better from the club.
“We have provided our full co-operation to the EFL’s investigation and disciplinary process. Following the appeal, we will also be writing to the EFL to volunteer our participation in a working group on the practical application and enforcement of Regulation 127 across the Championship. Contrition without change is hollow, and we intend to demonstrate change.”
Saints unhappy with play-off expulsion
But the club weren’t happy with the punishment, dubbing it the largest penalty ever imposed on an English football club.
“On the appeal itself: we accept that there should be a sanction. What we cannot accept is a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence. Whereas Leeds United was fined £200,000 for a similar offence, Southampton has been denied the opportunity to compete in a game worth more than £200 million and one which means so much to our staff, players and supporters.
“We believe the financial consequence of yesterday’s ruling makes it, by a very considerable distance, the largest penalty ever imposed on an English football club. Luton Town’s 30-point deduction in 2008-09 — to date the most severe sporting sanction in the English game — was levied against a club already in League Two, with no comparable revenue at stake. Derby County’s 21-point deduction in 2021 cost them their Championship status. Everton’s eventual six-point deduction in 2023-24 followed losses of £124.5million, a figure dwarfed by what has been taken from Southampton in a single afternoon. The largest financial penalty ever levied by the Premier League, against Chelsea in March of this year, was £10.75m, and was accompanied by no sporting sanction whatsoever despite involving £47.5m in undisclosed payments over seven years.
“We say this not to minimise what occurred at this club, which we have accepted was wrong. We say it because proportionality is itself a principle of natural justice. The Commission was entitled to impose a sanction. It was not, we will argue, entitled to impose one that is manifestly disproportionate to every previous sanction in the history of the English game.”
Who will contest the 2026 Championship play-off final?
The makeup of the Championship play-off final was pretty simple to work out. Middlesbrough have replaced Southampton and will face Hull City on Saturday.
Of course, that is pending any successful appeal from Southampton.
Middlesbrough released a statement shortly after the decision was announced, saying: “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.”