In a dramatic turn of events, Southampton has been disqualified from the Championship play-off final scheduled for Saturday. The Saints were initially set to compete against Hull City for a coveted Premier League promotion. However, their removal stems from an incident where they were found to have spied on Middlesbrough’s training session prior to their semi-final matchup. Consequently, Middlesbrough will take their place and face Hull City at Wembley Stadium, with the victor securing a top-flight spot. Additionally, Southampton has been penalized with a four-point deduction for the 2026-27 Championship season. An official statement from the EFL confirmed ongoing discussions with the involved clubs regarding the decision’s ramifications, with further details to be announced later.