An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.
In addition, the Club has received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table.
The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 Play-Offs and will proceed to the Play-Off Final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.
📘 https://t.co/kGIhl4GksL
Southampton have always been a club that did things the right way. Attractive football, long history, loyal and vocal support, important community department, good atmosphere at the Dell and St Mary’s, develop talent, even a great cat at the training ground. A sound club. A touch of class. So as they head to Wembley, and deservedly so as they were better than Boro on the night, perhaps those who run the club and run the football side consider how to restore the club’s reputation.
Because a club who many neutrals had a soft spot for risk becoming hard to like. Some Southampton fans will not worry about what others think of them. But they should. They are currently associated with cheating - Spygate - and for allegations of discriminatory language on the pitch (which have yet to be proven). That’s not what Southampton are about.
Their head coach, Tonda Eckert, rightly earned plenty of praise for his inspirational work this season but risks coming across as charmless at times. Interesting that Boro’s coach, Kim Hellberg, in his Sky Sports interview, congratulated Southampton players and supporters but not their coach.
Southampton have gained a shot at the Premier League - any Spygate sanctions permitting - but lost some respect. Saints’ board and Eckert now have to work out how to restore that good reputation. And pray that the independent disciplinary commission does not punish them severely and swiftly for Spygate. As many people want them to. #SaintsFC #SOUMID
Chosen by Julie Shenton, today's man of the match is Danny Rowe
A brace for himself (though some sources say one was an OG) and our latest signing, after 3 matches, is yet to concede a goal
#UTS
🔵 BREAKING: Hartlepool United have announced midfielder Brad Walker will return to the club.
He re-joins after his contract at League Two club Tranmere Rovers expired at the end of the season.
#Pools | #HUFC | #BBCFootball
Hartlepool United are thrilled to welcome back Brad Walker - who will return to Pools upon expiry of his current contract at Tranmere Rovers. ✍Hartlepool United are thrilled to welcome back Brad Walker - who will return to Pools upon expiry of his current contract at Tranmere Rovers. ✍️