Southampton Expelled from Championship Play-Offs

Southampton have been expelled from the 2025-26 Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after breaches of EFL regulations.

Southampton’s analyst, William Salt was caught spying on Middlesbrough’s training session on Thursday 7 May ahead of the first leg of their play-off semi-final, which led the latter club to lodge a complaint with the EFL who subsequently charged the Saints with breaches of the following regulations.

• EFL Regulation 3.4. which requires Clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith: and
• EFL Regulation 127. which 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.

Southampton subsequently ‘admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations’ in an Independent Disciplinary Commission (IDC)  concerning to ‘unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.’

Oxford United and Ipswich Town are two teams named as having been spied on by the Saints ahead of their clashes in December and April respectively.

The IDC also issued a four-point deduction for next season along with a formal reprimand, whilst Middlesbrough have been reinstated and given a pass to the Play-Off Final against Hull City, which remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May with kick-off time now yet to be confirmed.

Southampton however could opt to lodge an appeal in line with EFL Regulations, with IDC and EFL keen to try and resolve any appeals tomorrow (20 May), which could result in a further change to the fixture.

The EFL have confirmed that they’re holding discussions with Hull, Middlesbrough and Southampton in regard to implications of the verdict, with plans for an announcement in due course.

In response to Southampton’s expulsion, Middlesbrough released a short statement welcoming the verdict and renewed belief in the “sporting integrity and conduct” of the sport.

“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.”