Southampton expelled from Championship playoffs over spying scandal

Southampton FC has been expelled from the EFL Championship playoffs after an independent disciplinary commission found the club guilty of spying on opponents.

The English Football League said Southampton admitted to breaching rules that require clubs to act in good faith and bar them from observing another team's training session within 72 hours of a match.

The admitted breaches involved fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.

Middlesbrough staff spotted a man hiding behind a tree and filming their closed training session. When confronted, the man fled into a nearby country club restroom, changed clothes and escaped through the dining room. Investigators later identified him as a Southampton employee.

Southampton admitted to a season-long pattern of espionage that also included Oxford United and Ipswich Town.

As punishment, Southampton is removed from the playoffs and Middlesbrough is reinstated in its place. The club will also begin next season with a four-point deduction.

Southampton said it plans to appeal the decision. Middlesbrough is now scheduled to face Hull City in the Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium on May 23.