"Caught up in all of this chaos" - Southampton player speaks out after club is kicked out of play-off final

Leo Scienza has become the first Southampton player to address the club being booted out of the Championship play-off final after the spygate scandal.

Saints were expelled from the fixture against Hull City at Wembley after admitting to 'multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs' training'.

Middlesbrough, who Southampton had beaten in the play-off semi-final, issued a complaint that brought the decision from the EFL, who also hit Tonda Eckert's side with a four-point deduction.

A desperate appeal was launched by Southampton but the verdict was upheld, with Middlesbrough reinstated and one game away from promotion back to the Premier League.

In a statement issued in response, Southampton said the decision is an "extremely disappointing outcome" and called it a "painful moment".

Scienza, who was integral in Saints' play-off run in the Championship and FA Cup semi-finals, expressed his frustration in a honest statement released on Tuesday evening.

Taking to Instagram, the 27-year-old said: "Disappointment, anger, sadness … It’s difficult to find the right words for what we’re all feeling right now.

Leo Scienza was left disappointed and angry after Southampton's expulsion. Image: Getty

"What has happened over the last days is heartbreaking.. for the club, for every player in this dressing room, and above all for our supporters. A moment like this should never end the way it did.

"I feel sorry for every football fan, as well as the players and supporters of Hull and Boro, who were caught up in all of this chaos too.

"We gave everything for this dream. Day after day, sacrifice after sacrifice, always believing we could bring this club back to where it belongs. For me, the dream of playing in the Premier League was something I fought for with everything I had. That’s why this pain cuts so deep.

"The hardest part is knowing how much our fans deserved this moment. You stood behind us all season with incredible passion, loyalty and belief. Even in the toughest moments, you carried us forward."

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

Kuryu Matsuki also weighed in with an Instagram post where he thanked the supporters for their "incredible support" and admitted it is "very difficult to put my feelings into words right now".

What next for Southampton after spygate?

Prior to the appeal verdict, The Athletic reported that Saints players were exploring legal action against their own club and had a planned meeting with the club.

They also sought advice from the PFA (Professional Footballers' Association), with loss of earnings a serious case for many of the group as a £250,000 promotion bonus was reported.

Some players who agreed 40 per cent pay cuts after relegation were set to have their wage increased if they secured promotion at the first time of asking.

Manager Eckert has reportedly accepted his responsibility in the spying on opposition teams on three occasions and could face further punishment from the FA.

One report from talkSPORT claims that Eckert could be given the boot and that there are fears the controversy could have a negative impact on potential sponsorship deals.