'Beyond our control' - Sergej Jakirovic drops Hull City claim with Southampton play-off in limbo | OneFootball

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has delivered a message amid the Championship play-off final uncertainty

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has spoken out amid the continued uncertainty surrounding his side's upcoming Championship play-off final.

The Tigers deservedly booked their spot at Wembley via a 2-0 victory over Millwall in the second leg of their semi-final clash last Monday, having drawn the first leg 0-0.

Goals from Mohamed Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt sent the Yorkshire outfit through to the play-off final, and have them dreaming of returning to the Premier League for the first time since suffering relegation from the top flight back in 2017.

However, Hull still don't know who they will be playing at Wembley this Saturday, due to the controversy surrounding the other semi-final, which was played out between Southampton and Middlesbrough.

The Saints earned a 2-1 victory in the second leg of their clash with Boro, but they have been accused of spying on one of the North East club's training sessions ahead of the first leg.

According to the EFL handbook, spying on an opposition training session up to 72 hours before a game is against the rules, and one consequence could lead to Southampton being thrown out of the play-offs.

Therefore, the Tigers are yet to discover whether they will face Tonda Eckert's men or Kim Hellberg's side in a match that will decide who wins a spot in the Premier League alongside Coventry City and Ipswich Town, who earned automatic promotion.

Sergej Jakirovic issues Hull City statement amid Southampton, Middlesbrough controversy

Hull's preparations for the Championship play-off final are being hindered by the fact that they still don't know who their opponents will be.

As reported by The Athletic, the independent hearing into Southampton's spying allegations will be completed by Tuesday, four days before the Wembley showpiece.

Meanwhile, taking to Instagram on Sunday, Hull boss Jakirovic wrote: "Dear Tigers, while the circumstances surrounding the final are unfolding beyond our control, I want to say a few words to you.

"I know myself that I came to this club quietly, just as I have many times before in life. But this season, ever since that first away trip to Coventry, we have all been living our dream together.

"We were written off and underestimated, yet we never lost the spirit that carried us to this great final. Whatever happens at Wembley in those 90 or 120 minutes of battle, I want us all to breathe as one, just as we have throughout this incredible season!

"And then que sera, sera. Your gaffer, Sergej."

Hull must use play-off final uncertainty as motivation

Hull have fallen victim to an unprecedented play-off scenario through no fault of their own, and have seen their preparations negatively affected.

However, as Jakirovic alluded to, the Tigers have already overcome several challenges this term and must use the unfortunate card they have been dealt as extra motivation.

The MKM Stadium outfit were handed a transfer embargo last summer, which could have proven detrimental to their chances of securing a play-off place.

Furthermore, Hull only avoided an unwanted League One return on the final day of last season, and have defied expectations to finish in the top six this term.

Jakirovic's men also won just one of their last seven games of the regular season, and seemed unlikely to get the better of Millwall in the play-off semi-final.

Defeating either Southampton or Middlesbrough at Wembley this Saturday will prove to be Hull's biggest challenge this term, but the season's evidence suggests it is a hurdle they are capable of overcoming despite the uncertainty surrounding the fixture.