Southampton ‘spygate’ appeal dismissed as EFL confirms Middlesbrough v Hull playoff final

Middlesbrough will play Hull in Saturday’s Championship playoff final after Southampton lost their appeal against their expulsion for ‘spygate’.

Southampton ‘spygate’ appeal dismissed as EFL confirms Middlesbrough v Hull playoff final. Middlesbrough will play Hull in Saturday’s Championship playoff final after Southampton lost their appeal against their expulsion for ‘spygate’. An independent commission imposed the penalty on Tuesday – and docked the Hampshire club four points for next season – after Saints admitted three spying charges, including observing a Middlesbrough session ahead of the semi-final first leg. The commission also reinstated Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 after extra-time at St Mary’s having drawn 0-0 at the Riverside Stadium, denying Southampton the chance of a shot at promotion to the Premier League worth an estimated £200 million at a minimum. Saints chief executive Phil Parsons called it “manifestly disproportionate” to any other sanction handed down in the h...