Southampton has been expelled from the Championship playoffs after admitting to repeatedly spying on three clubs, the English Football League (EFL) said.
The EFL initially penalized Southampton for filming Middlesbrough during a training session ahead of the first leg of their playoff semifinal on May 7.
An independent disciplinary commission has also handed Southampton a four-point deduction in the Championship for next season.
Middlesbrough, who were beaten by Southampton in the playoff semifinal, have now been reinstated. They are set to face Hull City on Saturday for a place in the Premier League. However, the final could be delayed further if Southampton appeal the sanction.
The EFL said Southampton admitted to “multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorized filming of other clubs’ training.”
The club have also received a reprimand in relation to all charges.
“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,” the EFL said in a statement.
“Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated.”
The club admitted breaches of regulations requiring teams to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match.
Southampton were also charged with spying on Oxford United before their December 2025 fixture and Ipswich Town in April 2026.
The admitted breaches relate to fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026, and Middlesbrough in May 2026.
The EFL said it is now in discussion with all three clubs regarding the implications of the decision and will make a further announcement in due course.
Southampton said they have the right to appeal the commission’s decision and are “working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May.”
