Cyle Larin and Southampton will not play in the Championship playoff final, the English Football League announced on Tuesday.
Saints will also be docked four points to begin the 2026-2027 Championship season for multiple breaches of EFL regulations. The investigation occurred Middlesbrough caught a Southampton intern filming a training session ahead of the first leg of their semi-final tie.
BREAKING
— Dan Roan (@danroan) May 19, 2026
EFL: SOUTHAMPTON EXPELLED from Championship Play Off Final by EFL
Independent Disciplinary Commission after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations⁰related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training. pic.twitter.com/MNGXcK6Nrp
The EFL also announced that Boro is reinstated and will now play Hull City in Saturday’s match with the winner promoted to the Premier League next season.
According to the official EFL release, Southampton “admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorized filming of other Clubs’ training.” The other breaches were discovered upon the initiation of an investigation following Boro’s complaint. The team also receives an official reprimand.
The Championship playoff final is set for Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Boro is looking to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017. The Tigers last played in the top flight in 2014.
