How Middlesbrough have reacted to shock Southampton expulsion from play-off final | OneFootball

Middlesbrough react to Southampton's expulsion from the Championship play-offs.

Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs after admitting to spying on three clubs throughout the season, including semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.

The Saints were due to embark on their second trip to Wembley Stadium this season on Saturday, having narrowly overcome Boro over the course of two legs in the play-off semi-finals.

However, in the build up to the first leg, a Southampton analyst was caught videoing a Middlesbrough training session on his mobile phone, which is strictly prohibited by multiple EFL regulations.

The subsequent hearing would take place on Tuesday May 19th, with an EFL independent disciplinary commission charging the Hampshire side with spying on multiple teams over the course of the 2025/26 campaign.

Middlesbrough will now go head-to-head with Hull City under the famed Wembley arch on Saturday with a place in the Premier League and hundreds of millions of pounds at stake.

Middlesbrough's response to Southampton's Championship play-off expulsion

Even though Boro were eliminated from the Championship play-offs last week, head coach Kim Hellberg opted to keep his players training, just in case Southampton were struck with disciplinary action over their spying antics.

Now, the Swede looks to be a genius, as his side have been reinstated into the play-offs following Southampton's expulsion, meaning they will head south on Saturday to face Hull for the final spot in next season's Premier League.

It seems the EFL's action has come as a welcome piece of news for the Teesside outfit, who were left in uproar after they discovered their opponents were videotaping their crucial training sessions.

Boro released a statement on their official X account in the wake of the verdict, which read: "Middlesbrough Football Club welcomes the outcome of today’s Disciplinary Commission hearing.

"We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct.

"As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday.

"Ticket information for our supporters will be available shortly," the statement concluded.

With just days before the big game at Wembley, Middlesbrough fans will be rushing to secure their tickets for what could be a historic afternoon for their club under the arch.

Spygate verdict will come as a huge relief for the wider football family

Whilst you do have to feel for the Southampton fans who'd already booked tickets and transport to the capital on Saturday, the verdict of the hearing will come as a great relief for the wider football family.

We saw Leeds United get away with a mere slap on the wrist back in 2019 for their spying antics, receiving a £200,000 fine, which is nothing in comparison to Southampton's expulsion from the play-offs and four-point deduction for next season.

It's reassuring to see that fairness and integrity are always a top priority of the EFL, and they're ready to dish out drastic punishments for those who don't abide by the rules.

One thing's for certain, the 2025/26 Championship play-offs will be remembered for a long long time.