Final tickets on sale despite Spygate uncertainty

Breaking news from the world of sport: Final tickets on sale despite Spygate uncertaintyImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Southampton's last Championship defeat was to Hull on 17 JanuaryByAdam LaniganBBC Sport EnglandPublished14 minutes agoTickets have gone on sale for the Championship play-off final, despite uncertainty over whether the match between Hull City and Southampton will go ahead as planned. Saints face a hearing over the Spygate scandal, which saw the club charged by the English Football League (EFL) for observing one of Middlesbrough's training sessions within the 72-hour period before the semi-final first leg between the sides at the Riverside. The hearing, conducted by an Independent Disciplinary Committee, will take place on or before Tuesday, 19 May.

The EFL has said that the final could be delayed, dependent on the outcome of that hearing, and any possible appeal by either Middlesbrough or Southampton. Both Hull and Saints have received an allocation of 35,984 for the Wembley final, which is currently scheduled to kick off at 16:30 BST on Saturday, 23 May. Play-off final may be delayed by Spygate hearing Published17 hours agoWill Boro-Saints play-off have deciding third act?

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Published2 days agoSouthampton ask for more time over spying claims Published3 days agoHull secured their place in the final with a 2-0 victory at Millwall on Monday, while Saints defeated Middlesbrough 2-1 on Tuesday to progress, courtesy of a Shea Charles winner in extra time. However, the play-offs have been overshadowed by the allegations a member of Saints' backroom team broke EFL rules by 'spying' on a Middlesbrough training session last Thursday, two days before the first leg of their semi-final. There is currently no framework in place for any possible sanction since this officially became part of EFL regulations.

Possible penalties for Saints include a fine, a points deduction or even expulsion from the play-offs. And against this backdrop, the EFL said it could not guarantee the showpiece at Wembley would go ahead as planned. Hull fans 'being penalised' The one thing that is guaranteed is that Hull will be in the final.

But the uncertainty over next Saturday's staging of the game is not helpful for their supporters, many of whom want to book travel and accommodation to get to London. "We're basically being told, buy a ticket and you're taking a gamble," journalist and Hull supporter Bobbi Huyton told Radio 5 Live. "It might not even take place next week.

Just nothing but frustration and I'm honestly disgusted with how it's been handled. "The Hull City Official Supporters' Club also issued a statement in which they expressed concern at how the play-off final could be moved at short notice. "This is a situation in which we have had no influence but in which we are, both as a football club and supporters, being penalised," they said.

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