Southampton’s expulsion from the Championship play-off final has been upheld after an appeal from the club over the EFL’s disciplinary action.
Saints were found guilty of spying by an independent panel after admitting to filming training sessions of opposing Championship sides, Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough.
Those actions were in breach of Football League regulations and, along with Southampton’s expulsion from the play-off final, the independent disciplinary commission awarded Saints a four-point deduction for the 2026/27 season.
Southampton’s appeal to overturn their punishment was unsuccessful meaning they will not reinstated for Saturday’s climactic match and Middlesbrough, who Saints defeated 2-1 in the semi-finals, will now face Hull City at Wembley instead. The kick off time for the final will be 3.30pm.
The incident occurred on the morning of Thursday 7 May. Middlesbrough were at their Rockliffe Park training base preparing for the play-off semi-final second leg against Southampton 48 hours later when a member of staff spotted a Southampton intern analyst filming Boro’s training on a mobile phone while standing behind a tree.
Southampton claimed that their punishment was “manifestly disproportionate” the “largest penalty ever imposed on an English football club” as they broke their silence on the verdict.
Saints chief executive Phil Parsons lamented the club being stripped of an occasion “worth more than £200m” when Leeds United were fined £200,000 for a similar offence in 2019, with the Championship play-off final often called the richest game in football given the sizeable sums on offer to the winner that come with promotion to the Premier League.
Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 to Southampton in the two-legged semi-final, welcomed the outcome of the initial hearing, saying in a statement: “We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct.”
Southampton, who admitted the charges, were also found guilty of filming training sessions involving Oxford United in December and Ipswich Town in April during the regular season.
It is thought that the matter is now considered settled after the appeal hearing with Southampton unable to take the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
However, The Independent understands Tonda Eckert could find himself back in the disciplinary dock soon enough as the FA considers charging him with misconduct over the scandal.
He could face a lengthy ban if he is found to have brought the game into disrepute, under Rule E3 of the FA’s regulations.
More to follow…
