Southampton kicked out of Championship play-offs with Middlesbrough reinstated

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·19 May 2026

Southampton have been kicked out of the Championship play-offs by the English Football League (EFL).

It comes after the club “admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training,” the EFL say.

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Middlesbrough originally raised a complaint with the EFL, saying someone had spied on their training session ahead of the first leg of the semi-final against Southampton.

It means Middlesbrough have now been reinstated and will face Hull City in the play-off final for a place in the Premier League.

Southampton have also been deducted four points for next season’s Championship campaign.