Play-off final may be delayed by Spygate hearing

Play-off final may be delayed by Spygate hearingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Southampton beat Middlesbrough 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finalsByElizabeth BotcherbyBBC Sport journalistPublished14 May 2026, 16:12 BSTUpdated 26 minutes agoThe Championship play-off final may not go ahead on Saturday 23 May as the English Football League (EFL) investigates the Spygate scandal surrounding finalists Southampton. A hearing conducted by an Independent Disciplinary Commission will take place on or before Tuesday 19 May. Saints have been charged by the EFL with breaking rules by observing one of Middlesbrough’s training sessions before last Saturday’s semi-final first leg at the Riverside.Southampton are due to face Hull City in the play-off final for a place in the Premier League next season.Could Southampton be kicked out of play-offs over Spygate?