Spygate: Southampton's Championship play-off final fate to be determined as date set for independent hearing
It is possible Southampton could be thrown out of the Championship play-offs; the Saints were charged with breaching EFL rules after Middlesbrough's complaint that a staff member spied on training; the Championship play-off final takes place at Saturday May 23, kick-off at 4.30pm
Thursday 14 May 2026 16:55, UK
The independent hearing to determine Southampton's Championship play-off final fate will take place on or before Tuesday May 19 - but the date of the Wembley game four days later could be changed.
That independent commission will now meet four days before the Championship play-off final at the very latest to determine what will happen to the Saints - who are set to meet Hull City at Wembley on Saturday May 23, with the kick-off now confirmed at 4.30pm.
However, the EFL has confirmed that contingency plans for a change to the final proceedings are in place "should they be required" - including if an appeal process to the hearing takes place.
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The exact date and time of the initial independent hearing is yet to be determined.
In a statement, the EFL said: "As the proceedings are being conducted by an Independent Disciplinary Commission, the EFL does not control the proposed timetable.
"Notwithstanding this, the EFL continues to plan on the basis that the Championship play-off final will take place as scheduled on Saturday May 23, with the kick-off time confirmed as 4.30pm.
"Supporters should, however, be aware that the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture. The EFL has a number of contingency plans should they be required, which also includes consideration of any appeal process, if required."
It is possible Southampton could be thrown out of the Championship play-offs and denied the chance of promotion to the Premier League, if an independent commission upholds the charge they spied on a Middlesbrough training session in the build-up to their play-off semi-final.
Southampton were charged with breaching EFL regulations after Middlesbrough's complaint that a member of Southampton's staff spied on one of their training sessions.
Sky Sports News has since obtained a photo that shows a man outside Middlesbrough's training ground with a camera.
The EFL statement on Thursday added that current finalists Hull and Southampton will share ticket sales processes later today, with supporters advised to pay close attention to the terms and conditions when buying those tickets.
Speaking about the decision to continue as normal with ticket sales, the EFL statement continued: "This decision follows ongoing coordination with the clubs to ensure that on-sale arrangements can be implemented as soon as practicable.
"The league recognises that this complex situation has caused concern and disruption for supporters, particularly those making travel arrangements, and will continue to provide as much clarity as possible.
"However, in these clearly exceptional circumstances, the league considers this to be the most appropriate course of action."
What are Southampton and Middlesbrough doing before the final?
Middlesbrough players came back to the club's training ground on Thursday for a scheduled de-brief and recovery session.
This was always the plan after the play-offs, and they were set to go off on holiday on Friday if they were eliminated by Southampton.
However they are in a state of limbo with the EFL yet to decide on the charge against Southampton that they breached league regulations by observing/recording their opponents train 72 hours before a meeting of the teams.
Had they gone through to the play-off final, the loose plan was for the players to be given the weekend off before returning to train on Monday.
Southampton's players, meanwhile, are enjoying a few days off before returning to training on Sunday.
The Saints' plan was to always allow some rest and recovery time for the squad and staff after what's been an intense few days and busy end to the season.
The club's progression in the FA Cup meant a number of their league matches had to be moved to mid-week which lead to a frenetic end to the campaign.
Southampton removed a post around ticketing late on Wednesday night from the club's website as it had been published early by error.
