Could Southampton be kicked out of play-offs over Spygate?

Breaking news from the world of sport: Could Southampton be kicked out of play-offs over Spygate? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Southampton's players have booked a second appearance at Wembley this season - but it could yet be taken away from them for spyingByDale Johnson Football issues correspondentPublished13 minutes ago"It breaks my heart," said Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg after his team were eliminated from the Championship play-offs by Southampton on Tuesday. Yet the Swedish head coach was not talking about the 2-1 extra-time defeat at St Mary's Stadium.

Hellberg was referencing the Spygate scandal, with Saints charged by the English Football League with breaking rules by observing one of his final training sessions before last Saturday's first leg at the Riverside. "If we hadn't caught that man that they sent up five hours to drive, you would sit there and say well done in the tactical aspect of the game and I would go home and feel like I've failed," Hellberg said. "When that is taken away from you - 'we're not going to watch every game, we're going to send someone instead and film the sessions and hope they don't get caught' - it breaks my heart in terms of all the things I believe in.

Match Details

"In any other season, talk would now turn to the play-off final on 23 May. But there is a lot to resolve before Southampton get to take on Hull City for a place in the Premier League. And there is no absolute certainty that this match will take place.

Southampton have asked for a delay to complete an internal review, but time is one thing the EFL does not have. For Middlesbrough, only one outcome is acceptable: That they walk out at Wembley a week on Saturday. What will happen in the next few days will define not just this season for two clubs, but perhaps their futures too.

Boro left in limbo while Saints plan for WembleyImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Southampton boss Tonda Eckert deflected any questions related to spying across the two legs of the Championship play-off tie The Championship play-off final is 10 days away. Ticket sales must be organised. Supporters need to know that they can make plans.

Reactions and Expectations

But we now enter a process whereby an entire season is about to be decided by an independent disciplinary commission. For Southampton, it must be business as usual - even if the celebrations on Tuesday were, for obvious reasons, slightly muted. On Wednesday morning, the club launched a play-off final merchandise range on their website, though there was no promotion across social media.

Tickets for the final will go on sale on Thursday morning - for a match their fans might end up not attending. At least Saints head coach Tonda Eckert can carry on with some semblance of normality. He has a game to prepare for.

Boro remain in a state of limbo until the independent disciplinary commission convenes. Rather than continuing to train, Sport understands that the immediate plan is for the players to be given a few days off. The squad will have to remain on call.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.