Southampton have been expelled from the Sky Bet Championship play-off final after admitting to spying on Middlesbrough and two other league rivals. An independent disciplinary commission removed head coach Tonda Eckert's side from Saturday's £200million Wembley final and imposed a four-point deduction for next season. An appeal will be heard by an independent arbitration panel on Wednesday.
Middlesbrough, who raised a complaint when their training session was spied on 48 hours before the play-off semi-final first leg, are set to take Southampton's place in the final against Hull City. Middlesbrough returned to training this week hoping to be reinstated after chairman Steve Gibson called for Saints to be kicked out for cheating.
Daily Mail Sport revealed on May 7 that a Southampton first-team analyst was confronted by Boro staff after being spotted hiding behind a tree at their Rockliffe Park base. The analyst ran into a nearby golf club, changed clothes in the toilet, and fled the area. The English Football League then charged Saints with breaching rules that prohibit observing opposition training.
Spygate scandal details
A picture later exposed Southampton intern William Salt filming Middlesbrough's training on his iPhone. Salt has close ties to head coach Tonda Eckert. Salt, Eckert, and technical director Johannes Spors now face potential Football Association disciplinary action and possible bans. Southampton did not comment when asked if Eckert, who was appointed in November, would face internal discipline.
At a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, Southampton admitted to spying on Middlesbrough, Oxford United in December 2025, and Ipswich Town in April 2026. Incriminating text messages between Southampton employees provided evidence of systemic espionage.
After the initial story broke, a whistleblower contacted Middlesbrough. Boro spoke with several Championship clubs who suspected their own sessions were spied on. Oxford United sacked their manager on December 15 and suspected training led by a caretaker coach was observed before their Boxing Day match against Southampton, which Oxford won 2-1.
EFL disciplinary commission ruling
Following Tuesday's hearing, the EFL released a formal statement detailing the disciplinary sanctions against Southampton.
"An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training,"
the EFL said.
"In addition, the club has received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table, alongside a reprimand in respect of all the charges,"
the statement continued.
"The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 play-offs and will proceed to the play-off final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed."
The league explained that Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May following additional breaches identified during the 2025/26 season. Southampton admitted breaching regulations that require clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibit observing another club's training within 72 hours of a match.
Southampton has the right to appeal the decision under EFL regulations, with all parties working to resolve the appeal on Wednesday 20 May. The EFL noted that the outcome could result in further changes to Saturday's fixture and confirmed it is in discussions with Middlesbrough, Southampton, and Hull City.
Reactions and potential legal claims
Wrexham, who missed out on the play-offs by one place, are monitoring developments and considering potential legal steps. Wrexham were beaten 5-1 at home by Southampton 21 days before the Ipswich Town fixture that Saints admitted spying on.
The Welsh club finished two points outside the play-offs and nine points behind Southampton. A points deduction applied to the 2025/26 season could have allowed Wrexham to overtake Southampton in the table. Wrexham indicated they are awaiting the full written findings of the commission before deciding whether to launch a compensation claim.
"We look forward to receiving the full details of the decision,"
a Wrexham spokesman said on Tuesday night. Wrexham consider action from Oxford United and Ipswich Town to be the most likely next steps.