Tom HamiltonMay 19, 2026, 01:50 PM ETClose• Joined ESPN in 2011 • Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours • Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018

Southampton have been kicked out of the Championship playoff final after being found guilty of spying on multiple opponents during the 2025-26 season.

The EFL has hit Southampton with an additional four-point deduction ahead of next term.

Middlesbrough, who lost to Southampton in their playoff semifinal, have been reinstated and will face Hull City on Saturday for a spot in the Premier League. The final is still scheduled for May 23 but could be further delayed if Southampton appeal the sanction.

The EFL originally charged Southampton with spying on Middlesbrough ahead of the first leg of their playoff semifinal. But further charges were levelled at Southampton on May 17 "in relation to additional breaches during the 2025-26 season" which corresponded to their fixture against Oxford United in Dec. 2025 and Ipswich in April 2026.

Southampton admitted breaches of the regulations "requiring clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match".

The EFL added that "Southampton has a right to appeal the Commission's decision in accordance with EFL Regulations and the parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May. Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday's fixture."

Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48818048/southampton-expelled-championship-playoffs-spygate-middlesbrough