A four-team end-of-season play-off culminates at Wembley, but the final is affected by Southampton’s expulsion for spying on Middlesbrough. Hull have already qualified after beating Millwall over two legs, while Southampton’s appeal means the opponent at Wembley is not confirmed. The potential prize for the winner is described as worth hundreds of millions of pounds, and the fixture is scheduled for three days later. Middlesbrough’s appearance creates logistical problems for the club and supporters, including ticket allocation and access for disabled and carer tickets. Ticket sales are limited to the club website due to short timescales, and some fans queued at the Riverside Stadium. Travel timing is also a concern, with a flexible kick-off time depending on the appeal outcome.
"Usually, the preparations for the Championship play-off final are set in stone. A four-side, end-of-season mini tournament ends at Wembley with two teams vying for a spot in the Premier League. But this is no normal play-off campaign. Southampton's expulsion for spying on Middlesbrough in the build-up to their semi-final earlier this month - in addition to games against Oxford and Ipswich earlier this season - has created chaos."
"Hull are already through, having beaten Millwall over two legs, yet Southampton's appeal on Wednesday means it is not yet settled who will face who at Wembley. And that fixture - potentially worth hundreds of millions pounds to the victor - is set to take place in just three days' time. BBC Radio Tees' Middlesbrough commentator Mark Drury summed it up succinctly: "It's not the build-up anybody would want for a game of this magnitude. "Obviously, it's been messy. Well, messy doesn't even cut it, does it really?""
"The club began the process, external of selling their allocation of 35,984 tickets on Wednesday but "in recognition of the short timescales involved", they will only be sold on their website. However, some fans have had issues with disabled and carer tickets and have queued outside the ticket office at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. There is also the issue of fans being able to get to Wembley in time."
"As it stands, the fixture will remain on Saturday, with a flexible kick-off time depending on the result of Southampton's appeal. Should Middlesbrough contest the final, it will take place at 15:30 BST whereas if Southampton are reinstated, the kick-off time will remain in its current 16:30 BST timeslot."
Read at www.bbc.com
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