By OkayGoal 
Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough have a second chance at Premier League promotion this season.
Middlesbrough will face Hull City in the EFL Championship promotion final at Wembley Stadium after Southampton was expelled following a league investigation. Southampton is also set to receive a four-point deduction to begin the 2026-27 Championship season, but the club will appeal the EFL’s decision.
Southampton were originally under investigation by the EFL after being charged for spying on Middlesbrough’s training session at the club’s facility during their playoff series. A member of the club staff was reportedly seen outside of the facility taking photos of the training session.
Morris and Middlesbrough originally were elimination at the hands of Southampton in the promotion semifinals, losing 2-1 on aggregate after a second leg defeat on the South Coast.
The U.S. men’s national team midfielder played 90 minutes in the first leg draw at the Riverside Stadium before logging 120 minutes in the extra time second leg loss at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Morris’ 44 appearances to date this season are already a career-best for a single campaign.
Hull City and Middlesbrough will square off at Wembley on Saturday, with the winner joining Coventry City and Ipswich Town as the third promoted club this season.