{"id":33541,"date":"2026-05-15T07:57:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T07:57:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/spygate-big-twist-could-cause-championship-play-off-final-to-be-moved-from-wembley-soccer-sports\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T07:57:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T07:57:28","slug":"spygate-big-twist-could-cause-championship-play-off-final-to-be-moved-from-wembley-soccer-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/spygate-big-twist-could-cause-championship-play-off-final-to-be-moved-from-wembley-soccer-sports\/","title":{"rendered":"Spygate big twist could cause Championship play-off final to be moved from Wembley | Soccer | Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"photo changeSpace\">\n<p class=\"withoutCaption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/67\/590x\/secondary\/6921845.jpg?r=1778829180043\" alt=\"Panoramic view of Wembley Stadium before the Emirates FA Cup semi-final match between Manchester City and Southampton in London.\" title=\"Panoramic view of Wembley Stadium before the Emirates FA Cup semi-final match between Manchester City and Southampton in London.\" width=\"590\" height=\"393\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"newsCaption\">Championship play-off final could be held away from Wembley Stadium <span class=\"caption\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>Middlesbrough are reported to be seeking to join the Spygate independent commission when the case against Southampton is heard next week. The Teessiders are demanding sporting charges against their play-off opponents after being caught spying last week. According to The Athletic, Boro have inquired about his availability, which could cause further friction between the two clubs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>The EFL accused Saints of misconduct before the Saints&#8217; play-off semi-final first leg after a Saints analyst was seen using a recording device at Rockliffe Hall shortly before the game. As is customary, Boroughs will only be allowed to make written submissions as interested parties. This means Boro have no right to appeal as the Saints are the defendants and the EFL are the ones making the accusations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>Reports suggest the Boro manager may have spied on at least one club in Southampton&#8217;s second division, with former club employees claiming to be supporting Southampton. Express Sport has contacted the North East club for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>This follows a statement from the EFL confirming that a public hearing will take place within the next few days. They said the final could be changed from its original date. There is also a possibility that Hull City&#8217;s final against Southampton could be held away from Wembley, despite tickets going on sale on Friday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>&#8220;The EFL can today provide an interim update on the ongoing disciplinary proceedings involving Southampton following Tuesday&#8217;s Championship play-off semi-final second leg,&#8221; it read.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>&#8220;The Independent Disciplinary Commission hearing is expected to take place by Tuesday 19 May. The exact date is still under discussion and will be determined shortly.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>&#8220;The committee will make a decision as soon as possible after considering the relevant submissions and evidence. The EFL has no control over the proposed timetable as the proceedings are being conducted by an independent disciplinary committee.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>&#8220;Despite this, the EFL continues to plan for the Championship play-off final to take place as planned on Saturday 23 May, with kick-off time set for 4.30pm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>Express sports on FB! Get all the best sports news and more on our Facebook page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"photo changeSpace\">\n<p class=\"withoutCaption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/67\/590x\/secondary\/6921848.jpg?r=1778829184676\" alt=\"Middlesbrough, England - May 9: Middlesbrough fans are seen using binoculars inside the stadium before the Sky Bet Championship\" title=\"Middlesbrough, England - May 9: Middlesbrough fans are seen using binoculars inside the stadium before the Sky Bet Championship\" width=\"590\" height=\"393\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"newsCaption\">Middlesbrough fans use binoculars inside Southampton stadium <span class=\"caption\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>&#8220;However, supporters should be aware that the match may be subject to change depending on the outcome of any disciplinary proceedings. The EFL has a number of contingency plans in place, including consideration of an appeals process if necessary.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>Both Hull City and Southampton have already handed out ticket information ahead of the high-profile events later this month, but the EFL has warned it will take most appropriate action if Saints are found guilty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>&#8220;The league recognizes that this complex situation has caused concern and confusion for supporters, particularly those making travel arrangements, and will continue to provide as much clarity as possible.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>\u201cHowever, in these clearly exceptional circumstances, the league believes this is the most appropriate course of action.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-description\">\n<p>Boro manager Kim Helberg struggled to contain his emotions in a heartfelt post-match press conference following the defeat to St Mary&#8217;s. He has since returned to training despite his side losing in extra-time on the south coast, and could return to replace Southampton in the final.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/sport\/football\/2205797\/championship-play-off-final-moved-wembley-spygate\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Championship play-off final could be held away from Wembley Stadium (Image: Getty Images) Middlesbrough are reported to be seeking to join the Spygate independent commission when the case against Southampton is heard next week. The Teessiders are demanding sporting charges against their play-off opponents after being caught spying last week. According to The Athletic, Boro<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33542,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-33541","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-matches"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Spygate big twist could cause Championship play-off final to be moved from Wembley | Soccer | Sports - EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/spygate-big-twist-could-cause-championship-play-off-final-to-be-moved-from-wembley-soccer-sports\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Spygate big twist could cause Championship play-off final to be moved from Wembley | Soccer | Sports - EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Championship play-off final could be held away from Wembley Stadium (Image: Getty Images) Middlesbrough are reported to be seeking to join the Spygate independent commission when the case against Southampton is heard next week. 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