Gary Nolan

🚨 Southampton CEO, Phil Parsons on being kicked out of the play-off final: 🗣️ “What happened was wrong. We are sorry to the other clubs involved, and most of all to the Southampton supporters whose extraordinary loyalty and support this season deserved better from the club. 🗣️ “We have provided our full co-operation to the EFL's investigation and disciplinary process. Following the appeal, we will also be writing to the EFL to volunteer our participation in a working group on the practical application and enforcement of Regulation 127 across the Championship. Contrition without change is hollow, and we intend to demonstrate change. 🗣️ “On the appeal itself: we accept that there should be a sanction. What we cannot accept is a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence. Whereas Leeds United was fined £200,000 for a similar offence, Southampton has been denied the opportunity to compete in a game worth more than £200 million and one which means so much to our staff, players and supporters. 🗣️ “The financial consequence of yesterday's ruling makes it, by a very considerable distance, the largest penalty ever imposed on an English football club. We say this not to minimise what occurred at this club, which we have accepted was wrong. We say it because proportionality is itself a principle of natural justice. 🗣️ “The Commission was entitled to impose a sanction. It was not, we will argue, entitled to impose one that is manifestly disproportionate to every previous sanction in the history of the English game.”

Delighted for Middlesbrough on this result. Good luck to MFC now for the final!

Really does make you wonder how legitimate the other 17 games in that unbeaten run were. My guess is ALL were spied on.

A statement from MFC: Middlesbrough Football Club welcomes the outcome of today’s Disciplinary Commission hearing. We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct. As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday. Ticket information for our supporters will be available shortly.

EFL: “The admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.”

BREAKING EFL: SOUTHAMPTON EXPELLED from Championship Play Off Final by EFL Independent Disciplinary Commission after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations
related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.