Southampton were removed from the Championship play-offs after being found to have spied on opponents, and their final place against Hull City was taken by Middlesbrough, who had beaten Southampton’s side in the semi-finals. Southampton appealed unsuccessfully, and an independent commission ruled that their manager specifically authorized the observations. Further consequences are expected, but the immediate outcome is a Wembley final between Hull City and Middlesbrough. Hull City reached the final by beating Millwall and have been a surprise promotion contender after surviving relegation to League One, appointing Sergej Jakirovic, and overcoming transfer embargo restrictions. Middlesbrough’s involvement follows the replacement after Southampton’s expulsion.
"Tuesday brought the news that Southampton had been expelled from the Championship play-offs for spying on opponents, with their place in the final against Hull City instead taken by Middlesbrough, who they had beaten in the semis. Since then Saints have appealed unsuccessfully against the decision, with an independent commission ruling their boss Tonda Eckert had "specifically authorised the observations". There is likely to be more fallout in the coming weeks but, in the meantime, it will be one of Hull or Middlesbrough who will be celebrating promotion to the Premier League on Saturday evening."
"Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic did not hold back when asked about his feelings on where the furore surrounding Southampton's activities left his own side. "We can say everything is unfair in this last two weeks. You don't know what's going on," he told BBC Radio Humberside. "We are collateral damage because we are waiting on [an] opponent and you don't know what's going on, what's happening.""
"The Tigers, who beat third-placed Millwall to secure their place in the play-off final last Monday, have been the division's surprise package this season. The East Yorkshire side survived relegation to League One on goal difference last May before appointing former Bosnia international Jakirovic as their new boss. They were then hit with a three-window transfer embargo, which was later reduced to two after a successful appeal, and few had them down as promotion contenders."
Read at www.bbc.com
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