By OkayGoal 
Southampton‘s appeal against their expulsion from the Championship play-offs for spying has been dismissed.
The EFL confirmed on Wednesday that a League Arbitration Panel had rejected the appeal, meaning. Middlesbrough will face Hull City in the play-off final on Saturday.
A EFL statement read: “A League Arbitration Panel has today dismissed Southampton Football Club’s appeal against the Independent Disciplinary Commission’s decision in respect of breaches of EFL Regulations.
“As a result, the original sanction remains in force. Southampton’s expulsion from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs stands, alongside the four-point deduction to be applied to the Club’s 2026/27 Championship record and the reprimand in respect of all charges.
“In accordance with EFL Regulations, the decision of the League Arbitration Panel is final. Following the conclusion of the proceedings, the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final between Hull City and Middlesbrough is confirmed as taking place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 23 May, kicking off at 3.30pm.”
The Saints were reported to the EFL after a Southampton member of staff was caught spying on Middlesbrough’s training session ahead of their semi-final meeting. The first leg ended in a 0-0 draw, before Southampton won the second leg 2-1 to seemingly set up a final with Hull.
However, Middlesbrough called for Southampton to be expelled in the wake of that defeat and their wish was ultimately granted after the south coast club “admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training”.
Southampton, who were also revealed to have spied on Ipswich Town and Oxford United, received a four-point deduction for next season and an official reprimand on top of their expulsion.
Despite admitting to rules breaches, Southampton appealed the punishment, which they described as “manifestly disproportionate”.
But they will now start the 2026-27 season in the Championship on minus four points, with the deduction also remaining in place, with many expecting the episode to lead to the sacking of manager Tonda Eckert.
Hull, meanwhile, are reportedly taking legal advice to see if they have a case to be automatically promoted to the Premier League. The club are said to be unhappy at having to switch from preparing to face Southampton to now focusing on Middlesbrough at short notice. Among the legal avenues Hull are reported to be keeping open is a potential challenge after Saturday’s final.
Both Hull and Middlesbrough last played in the Premier League in the 2016-17 season, when they finished 18th and 19th respectively in suffering relegation to the second tier.