Southampton expelled from play-offs for spying

Breaking news from the world of sport: Southampton expelled from play-offs for spyingImage source, OtherImage caption, Spygate is alleged to have taken place two days before Middlesbrough play-off semi-final first leg against SouthamptonByDale Johnson Football issues correspondentPublished19 May 2026, 18:48 BSTUpdated 2 minutes agoSouthampton have been thrown out of the play-offs after admitting they spied on three clubs in the Championship season. The EFL charged Saints with watching training sessions of Oxford United and Ipswich Town, in addition to filming Middlesbrough as they prepared for the first leg of their play-off semi-final on 7 May. Southampton have also received a four-point deduction in the Championship for next season.

Middlesbrough, beaten by Southampton in the semi-final, have been reinstated and will now play Hull City for a place in the Premier League. The final will remain on Saturday at Wembley with the kick-off time to be confirmed. Southampton had admitted to "multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs' training", the EFL said.

Match Details

The club have also received a reprimand in respect of all the charges. The EFL said in a statement: "Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025-26 season. "Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated.

"Southampton admitted breaches of regulations requiring clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. "The admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026. "Recap: What did Southampton do?

It was the morning of Thursday, 7 May. Middlesbrough were at their Rockliffe Park training base preparing for the game against Southampton 48 hours later. The spy, a Southampton analyst, is said to have parked at the golf club, then walked a couple of hundred yards down a road which leads to a raised area of ground.

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Sources told the that the accused simply stood pointing his mobile at the training session, while wearing in-ear headphones. Middlesbrough staff believe he may have been live-streaming the session via a video call. A member of Middlesbrough's staff approached, say sources, but the person would not identify himself.

Then, he quickly deleted some content off his phone before running off into the golf club. He jogged into the toilets, changed his clothes and hurriedly left the site. Middlesbrough's photographer took photos and matched him to a photo on the Southampton website.

One of those pictures was subsequently made public last week. Boro were furious and quickly reported it to the EFL. The EFL charged Southampton with breaking two regulations.

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