Southampton Football Club have been expelled from the English Football League Championship play-offs after an Independent Disciplinary Commission found them guilty of multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of rival clubs’ training sessions.

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday following a hearing convened ahead of Saturday’s play-off final at Wembley, brings an abrupt and humiliating end to Southampton’s promotion hopes. As a direct consequence, Middlesbrough have been reinstated into the play-offs and will now face Hull City in the Championship play-off final on 23 May.

The scandal, widely dubbed “Spygate,” first came to light on 7 May when Middlesbrough lodged a formal complaint with the EFL alleging that a Southampton staff member had covertly observed their training session just days before the play-off semi-final first leg.

Southampton were subsequently charged on 12 May, but the situation deepened considerably when further investigations revealed that the club’s spying activities had not been limited to the Middlesbrough fixture. The EFL confirmed that Southampton admitted breaches involving three separate clubs during the 2025/26 season: Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026, and Middlesbrough in May 2026. The initial charge against Southampton was issued on 8 May, with additional charges following on 17 May as the broader scope of the misconduct came to light.

At the centre of the scandal is club intern William Salt, who was photographed hiding behind a tree and filming Middlesbrough’s training session at their Rockliffe Park base using a mobile phone. Salt was also identified as a member of Southampton’s backroom staff through photographs taken when manager Tonda Eckert was named Championship manager of the month for February, March and April awards that coincided with the club’s remarkable 21-match unbeaten run in the league. Reports further indicated that Salt had used his bank card to purchase a coffee at a hotel adjacent to Middlesbrough’s training ground on the day of the alleged spying, leaving a potential financial paper trail. Several other Championship clubs had also privately raised concerns with the EFL about the ease with which Southampton appeared to anticipate their tactical setups and set-piece routines throughout the season.

Southampton’s German manager Tonda Eckert, who took charge at St Mary’s in November 2025 and holds experience as an analyst with the German national team, found himself at the heart of the controversy throughout. He walked out of his post-match press conference after the first leg when asked whether he was a cheat, and refused to hold a pre-match press conference ahead of the second leg. Despite the cloud hanging over the club, Southampton beat Middlesbrough 2-1 after extra time in the second leg through a Shea Charles winner, sealing their place in the final a result that has now been rendered irrelevant.

The EFL confirmed that Southampton have received a four-point deduction to be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table, in addition to a formal reprimand. The club has the right to appeal the Commission’s decision, with the parties reportedly working to resolve any appeal by Wednesday 20 May.

Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg had described Southampton’s conduct as “disgraceful spying” in the aftermath of the semi-final, and his club had publicly called for Southampton’s expulsion as the only appropriate response to the scandal. The ruling has been welcomed by Middlesbrough, who said it sends out a clear message. Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic had also urged the EFL to ensure the final proceeded as planned on Saturday, warning of the physical and psychological strain on his players from any further delay. With the decision now confirmed, Middlesbrough and Hull City will contest the Wembley showpiece as scheduled, with one Premier League promotion place at stake.