Southampton have been thrown out of the Championship play-offs following the 'spygate' affair, with an Independent Disciplinary Commission delivering its verdict today.
Middlesbrough will now take the Saints' place and contest Saturday's final against Hull City at Wembley, with kick-off time yet to be confirmed.
The south coast club has also been handed a four-point penalty that will be applied to their 2026/27 Championship campaign.
The punishment follows Southampton's admission to multiple violations of EFL rules concerning the illicit recording of rival clubs' training sessions.
Southampton have been thrown out of the Championship play-off final just days before it is set to kick off
|REUTERS
Southampton retain the option to challenge the decision through an appeal.
The EFL confirmed that Southampton faced initial charges on Friday 8 May, with additional allegations following on Sunday 17 May after further incidents came to light during the original investigation.
The club acknowledged breaking regulations that mandate clubs operate with complete good faith and forbid surveillance of opponents' training within 72 hours of a fixture.
These violations related to three separate matches throughout the current campaign: a December 2025 encounter with Oxford United, an April 2026 fixture against Ipswich Town, and the recent play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough.
The commission also issued a formal reprimand alongside the sporting sanctions.
Southampton were found to have 'spied' on several teams over the season
|REUTERS
The controversy erupted on 7 May when Middlesbrough lodged an official complaint with the EFL, alleging that a Southampton staff member had observed their training three days prior to the play-off semi-final first leg.
Following a goalless draw at the Riverside Stadium, Boro manager Kim Hellberg accused his opponents of cheating.
The second leg at St Mary's on 12 May saw Shea Charles score in extra time to secure a 2-1 victory for Southampton.
Hellberg condemned what he called "disgraceful spying", whilst Saints boss Tonda Eckert walked out of his post-match press conference when asked: "Are you a cheat?"
Photographs subsequently emerged appearing to show a Southampton analyst in the vicinity of Middlesbrough's training facility.
Middlesbrough will now take on Hull in the Championship play-off final for a spot in the Premier League
| GETTYMiddlesbrough had publicly demanded Southampton's removal from the play-offs on 15 May, stating that preventing the club from appearing in the final represented "the only appropriate response" given the circumstances.
The Teesside club's squad resumed training on Monday as they awaited the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings.
The EFL had indicated on 14 May that the hearing would conclude by today, warning that "the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture."
That warning has now materialised, with Middlesbrough granted a second chance at promotion just four days before the Wembley showpiece.