EFL Championship play-off final date could be rescheduled if Middlesbrough return following disciplinary proceedings over Southampton’s alleged spying on Boro’s training sessions
Championship play-off final date at Wembley is subject to change (Image: Getty Images)
The Championship play-off final could be moved if Middlesbrough are reinstated by the EFL disciplinary committee, with Tuesday 26 May now increasingly likely to be floated as an alternative date. An independent commission will look into Southampton’s charges over the next few days of spying on Boro’s training sessions ahead of the first leg of their play-off semi-final.
Despite Southampton winning the two-legged draw, their place in the final remains in doubt as the EFL charges have yet to be handed down. As confirmed in a statement this week, the EFL aims to resolve the matter by next Tuesday, with a public hearing understood to begin on Friday.
The statement said that for the time being the final is still going ahead as if Southampton and Hull City would be contested, allowing both clubs to start selling tickets, but confirmed that the EFL had “a number of contingency plans in place, including consideration of an appeals process if required”.
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Hull and Southampton began selling tickets for the final on Friday morning, but both clubs said on their ticket information pages that the match and EFL terms and conditions were subject to change.
Hull City’s statement includes an asterisk after the date and then warns: “Following the latest communication from the EFL, supporters should be aware that changes to the fixture may occur depending on the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings regarding Southampton.”
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It is understood that the date of the final, currently scheduled for Saturday May 23 (4.30pm KO), may need to be revised if Boro are reinstated by the independent disciplinary panel. This is because, in addition to giving clubs enough time to prepare, Boro will take longer to sell tickets, while Southampton will be entitled to an appeals process.
However, options remain limited when it comes to EFL emergency response. At this time, it is highly unlikely that the match will be held away from Wembley Stadium.
Over 35,000 tickets have already been allocated to both clubs beyond the EFL’s existing partnership with Wembley, but there is no suitable alternative venue that can accommodate such a capacity, alongside the corporate hospitality initiatives undertaken by the EFL.
The World Cup will also be a deciding factor when considering dates. The EFL cannot ask for dates beyond the Challenge Cup final on May 30, as FIFA regulations state that clubs must release players for upcoming summer international tournaments by then.
Southampton’s fate after Spygate looks set (Image: Robin Jones, Getty Images)
The standard date for the release of players for the World Cup is 25 May, but FIFA regulations state that “an exception to the mandatory release of players will apply, subject to FIFA approval, to players taking part in the final match of each federation’s club tournament and the final match of the group stage of these competitions until 30 May 2026”.
This leaves a short window in the week following the original date during which you can readjust the final content. The remaining EFL play-off finals will be held at Wembley on Sunday and Monday, with the Rugby League Challenge Cup final scheduled for next Saturday (30 May).
Due to the preparation time required to prepare the pitch and stadium branding for the rugby league match, the EFL needs to stage the Championship final as early in the week as possible, but given that everything is already in place from the previous two days of matches, Tuesday is the wisest option.
Amid continued uncertainty, Hull City’s Official Supporters Club has condemned the EFL over the incident and the unfair impact it has had on the EFL.
“Hull City Official Supporters Club is currently working with other supporter groups to raise concerns about the potential transfer of the play-off final to the EFL.
“This is a situation over which we have no influence, but one in which we are penalized both as a football club and as supporters. “The decision to reschedule the final will mean that many of our supporters will not only suffer a financial loss, but will also face the prospect of not being able to attend the rescheduled matches.
“We feel this is clearly unfair, given that this situation arose largely from the EFL’s own error in not announcing sanctions for breaches of the rules regarding ‘spying’ against opposing teams.”
The EFL said in a statement on Thursday: “The league recognizes that this complex situation is causing concern and confusion for supporters, particularly those making travel arrangements, and will continue to provide as much clarity as possible.”
“However, in these clearly exceptional circumstances, the league believes this is the most appropriate course of action.”
