Southampton FC have failed in their appeal against expulsion from the Championship play-offs after the club admitted spying on rival teams’ training sessions.
The ruling means Saturday’s play-off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough FC will go ahead as planned, with promotion to the Premier League at stake.
An independent disciplinary commission had earlier thrown Southampton out of the play-offs and reinstated Middlesbrough, who were beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Saints in the semi-finals.
Naija News reports that Southampton accepted responsibility for spying on three rival clubs, including Middlesbrough before the first leg of the semi-final, but challenged the punishment, describing it as “manifestly disproportionate to every previous sanction in the history of the English game”.
The EFL on Wednesday, May 20, confirmed the appeal had been dismissed.
“A league arbitration panel has tonight dismissed Southampton Football Club’s appeal against the independent disciplinary commission’s sanction following the admittance of multiple breaches of EFL regulations,” the EFL said.
“The determination means that the original sanction of expulsion from the Championship play-offs remains in place, as does the four-point deduction to be applied to the 2026-27 Championship table and the reprimand in respect of all charges.”
The verdict brings the case to a close, with no further right of appeal available through the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Southampton later described the outcome as “an extremely disappointing outcome”.
The club said: “While we fully acknowledge the seriousness of this matter and the scrutiny that has followed, the club has consistently believed the original sporting sanction was disproportionate, a view that has been widely shared by many in the football community over the last 24 hours.
“While tonight is a painful moment, this football club will respond with humility, accountability and determination to put things right.”
Saints midfielder Leo Scienza admitted the decision had left players devastated.
Posting on Instagram, Scienza wrote: “Disappointment, anger, sadness. It’s difficult to find the right words for what we’re all feeling right now.
“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.”
