The 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 will take place on or before Tuesday 19 May.

About Spygate:

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/48710211/spygate-20-explaining-middlesborough-vs-southampton-incident-next-rule-change-marcelo-bielsa

Hilarious although not for the Hull fans who have already booked tickets for the final!

But surely, as it was Middlesborough who were "wronged" here or at least that this happened against, it would be a bit of a slap of the face to allow them to knock out Boro, but to be kicked out right after

The latest on Spygate The Sequel:

The club has released the following statement...

Middlesbrough FC notes the decision of the Disciplinary Commission not to permit the club to intervene in the proceedings brought by the EFL against Southampton FC.

The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact.

The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition. In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final.

We remain hopeful that the EFL, as regulator, will pursue such a sanction before the Disciplinary Commission in order to protect the integrity of the game, safeguard all member clubs, and deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.

The club reserves all its legal rights.

Problem is when do they play a proposed changed playoff final?

Hull vs Middlesbrough it is on Saturday!

Southampton have been kicked-out of the play-offs.

Fair play for the EPL actually having the balls to do that.

Interesting to see the reaction from the players!

That match apparently will be one of the richest in history in terms of how much of an economic boon it will be to either side who wins and joins the EPL.

Edited 8 hours ago8 hr by DJHazey