Southampton lose appeal against EFL play-off expulsion as club issue 'extremely disappointing' statement

Southampton have lost their appeal against the decision to expel them from the EFL Championship play-offs over the 'spygate' scandal.

The outcome means that the Saints will play no further part in this season's play-off campaign, and Middlesbrough will instead take on Hull City in Saturday's final at Wembley.

An independent disciplinary commission reached their initial verdict on Tuesday after the Saints admitted spying on three clubs during the 2025/26 Championship season.

The club also received a four-point deduction in next season's Championship table.

All of the initial punishments have been upheld, and the club cannot launch a further appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The Athletic reported that WhatsApp messages sent to Saints analysts by manager Tonda Eckert had been uncovered as part of the investigation, and that the German could face a further FA sanction.

READ MORE: Southampton take drastic action over Tonda Eckert after spygate scandal

The EFL stated that Southampton admitted to 'multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs' training'.

Middlesbrough, who lost to the Saints in the play-off semi-final and had complained to the EFL about a Southampton staff member secretly filming their training session in the build-up to the first leg, were reinstated to the play-offs pending appeal.

Southampton immediately appealed the verdict, and given that the Championship play-off final is being played on Saturday, the EFL stated that the appeal process would be completed swiftly.

Southampton issue statement over 'disproportionate' EFL punishment

The EFL's decision means that the Championship play-off final will now take place between Hull City and Middlesbrough on Saturday at Wembley, with a 4:30pm kick-off.

Southampton released an official statement at the same time as the EFL's verdict was announced.

They say the verdict is an 'extremely disappointing outcome', and again reiterated their stance that the initial decision to expel them from the play-offs was 'disproportionate'.

"Whilst we fully acknowledge the seriousness of this matter and the scrutiny that has followed, the club has consistently believed the original sporting sanction was disproportionate, a view that has been widely shared by many in the football community over the last 24 hours," the statement reads.

"Southampton Football Club has a proud history and strong foundations, but it is clear that trust now needs to be rebuild.

"That work begins immediately. The club will reflect carefully on the events that have led to this point, learn from them and take the necessary steps to move forward responsibly.

"While tonight is a painful moment, this football club will respond with humility, accountability and determination to put things right."

It is a second public case relating to spying on training sessions - and involving a Championship play-off semi-final - since 2019, with Leeds and manager Marcelo Bielsa admitting that they spied on Derby before the first leg of the match between the two sides.

Leeds received a £200,000 fine and formal reprimand by the EFL.

The initial punishment received by Southampton was significantly harsher because, following the Leeds scandal, the EFL introduced a new rule intended to prohibit clubs from viewing their opposition training in the 72 hours prior to a game.

How Southampton players reacted to initial EFL verdict

The final verdict is likely to infuriate the Southampton first-team squad, who were initially reported to be furious at the independent disciplinary commission's decision.

According to the Daily Mail, Saints stars were exploring legal action against the club, having missed out on a bonus worth £250,000 per player if promotion was secured on Saturday afternoon.

Southampton players were said to be furious at the EFL's decision (Image: Getty)

The wages of those affected were also reduced by 40 per cent following last season's relegation from the Premier League, but would have been restored to their previous amounts upon promotion.

As part of the investigation, it is said to have been requested that the play-offs be considered a separate competition to the main Championship season, which is why Southampton were not kicked out of the Championship altogether and their fourth place finish still stands.