Middlesbrough Brand Southampton ‘Cheats’ and Push for Play-Off Expulsion
The EFL charged Southampton last week. Middlesbrough say the club should be expelled from the play-offs ahead of the final vs Hull on May 23.
Middlesbrough have urged the EFL to kick Southampton out of the Championship play-offs after an unauthorised man was caught filming a training session...
Middlesbrough want the EFL to throw Southampton out of the Championship play-offs over allegations the Saints spied on them before their semi-final tie.
The EFL charged Southampton last week after Middlesbrough said an unauthorised person was caught filming one of their training sessions ahead of the first leg.
Middlesbrough drew 0-0 at home on Saturday, then fell 2-1 after extra time in Tuesday’s second leg at St Mary’s.
Southampton are set to face Hull in the play-off final after Hull knocked out Millwall. The winner at Wembley earns a place in the Premier League.
A furious Kim Hellberg called Southampton “cheats” as the spying row escalated.
Leeds were fined in 2019 after Marcelo Bielsa admitted a staff member had watched a Derby training session.
Middlesbrough, though, want tougher action against Southampton. The club said their request to join the independent commission hearing into the incident was rejected.
On Friday, Middlesbrough urged the EFL to expel Southampton, arguing it’s the only way to ensure fairness and discourage other clubs from trying the same thing.
“The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact,” a statement said.
“The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition.
“In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final.”
Middlesbrough are demanding that Southampton are kicked out of the Championship play-offs over spying allegations. pic.twitter.com/DV6KuxxS9L
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 15, 2026
The final is scheduled for May 23, but the EFL hearing might not take place until Tuesday, which leaves the fixture date uncertain.
With so much at stake, it looks highly likely that one or more sides will appeal the decision.
The EFL stated it “continues to plan on the basis that the Championship play-off final will take place as scheduled.”
The league added that it has “a number of contingency plans should they be required.”
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