Southampton had appealed against the sanctions placed on them after being caught spying on opposition teams’ training

Hull City will face Middlesbrough in Saturday’s Play-Off Final at Wembley after Southampton lost their appeal against expulsion from the competition.

An independent commission imposed the penalty – and docked four points for next season – after the club admitted three spying charges, including one related to observing a training session of play-off semi-final opponents Middlesbrough earlier this month.

Saints appealed the sanction with chief executive Phil Parsons saying the club were adamant the penalty was far too harsh.

“The commission was entitled to impose a sanction. It was not, we will argue, entitled to impose one that is manifestly disproportionate to every previous sanction in the history of the English game,” Parsons said.

“We believe the financial consequence of yesterday’s ruling makes it, by a very considerable distance, the largest penalty ever imposed on an English football club.”

The commission also reinstated Boro, denying Southampton the chance of a shot at promotion to the Premier League worth an estimated £200million at a minimum.

An appeal was heard on Wednesday at 6pm and by 9,30pm it was revealed Southampton had been dismissed and Middlesbrough will take their place in the weekend’s EFL showpiece clash at Wembley.

A statement from the EFL released on Wednesday evening, read: “A League Arbitration Panel has today dismissed Southampton Football Club’s appeal against the Independent Disciplinary Commission’s decision in respect of breaches of EFL Regulations.

“As a result, the original sanction remains in force. Southampton’s expulsion from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs stands, alongside the four-point deduction to be applied to the Club’s 2026/27 Championship record and the reprimand in respect of all charges. In accordance with EFL Regulations, the decision of the League Arbitration Panel is final.

“Following the conclusion of the proceedings, the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final between Hull City and Middlesbrough is confirmed as taking place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 23 May, kicking off at 3.30pm.”

Reports suggested the Saints had called in Lord Pannick, who led Manchester City’s legal team in a hearing to examine 115 Premier League charges in 2024.