Southampton were removed from the Championship play-offs due to the “spygate” scandal. Middlesbrough were reinstated after an independent commission delivered a verdict following consideration of the EFL’s case. Middlesbrough will play Hull City in the play-off final on Saturday May 23. The EFL stated that Southampton admitted multiple breaches involving unauthorized filming of opponents’ training ahead of matches. Southampton were charged on May 8, with additional charges issued on May 17 for further breaches during the 2025-26 season. The admitted breaches related to failing to act with utmost good faith and to observing another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match, involving fixtures against Oxford United, Ipswich Town, and Middlesbrough.
"Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs over the 'spygate' scandal. Middlesbrough have been reinstated after a bombshell verdict from an independent commission, which heard the EFL's case on Tuesday, and will now face Hull City in the play-off final in four days' time on Saturday May 23."
"According to the EFL, Southampton admitted "multiple breaches" relating to the unauthorised filming of their opponents training ahead of games. "Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025-26 season.""
""Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated. Southampton admitted breaches of 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 admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.""
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