Play Off Final

[SithHappens]

So Saints vs Hull. Who do you want to win? Personally I say Saints as they will be much stronger next year imo if they don't go up while Hull maybe not so.

That's if the EFL don't throw them out, as Gibson has the ear if the EFL there could be some action in the coming days.

Interestingly the EFL brought in some extra rules after Leeds spied against us.

[MadAmster]

After Spygate, they did, indeed, bring in a specific anti spying rule. They've not only charged Soton with their new spying rule but also the one they used to fine L**ds 200K for spying on us.

The final could yet end up being Gibbo v Hull

[SithHappens]

Might not happen now as planned

https://efl.com/news/2026/may/14/efl-statement--sky-bet-championship-play-off-final/

Ridiculous. What are fans supposed to do when they issue such a statement.

[ramAnag]

Might not happen now as planned

https://efl.com/news/2026/may/14/efl-statement--sky-bet-championship-play-off-final/

Ridiculous. What are fans supposed to do when they issue such a statement.

Couldn’t agree more, but what makes you think the EFL give a fig about fans?

Be very surprised if the outcome is anything more than the match going ahead as planned and Southampton getting a big fine - which will be insignificant if they win promotion - and then translates into Boro? being compensated.

We seem to have reached a stage where more outcomes are settled off the pitch than on it.

[SithHappens]

Couldn’t agree more, but what makes you think the EFL give a fig about fans?

Be very surprised if the outcome is anything more than the match going ahead as planned and Southampton getting a big fine - which will be insignificant if they win promotion - and then translates into Boro? being compensated.

We seem to have reached a stage where more outcomes are settled off the pitch than on it.

Its getting there, i think the issue the EFL have is if they don't punish Southampton in a manner suitable to boro , boro will threaten to sue the EFL.

Interesting times.

[MadAmster]

Possible delay to the Final, then. Not very helpful to next season's recruitment for the 2 (or should that be 3?) teams involved. Delay a week and they're then 4 weeks behind the rest in recruiting for the League they'll be in next season. I find this a totally ridiculous situation and one that shouldn't happen but, there it is, right in front of us.

This new rule needs amending before the start of next season. Spying once is a 6 or maybe even 12 point deduction or, if it's a playoff game, disqualification. Done it more than once? Relegation. No appeals.

[SithHappens]

Boro statement

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/15/club-statement-/

Clearly they won't let it lie.

[SithHappens]

Possible delay to the Final, then. Not very helpful to next season's recruitment for the 2 (or should that be 3?) teams involved. Delay a week and they're then 4 weeks behind the rest in recruiting for the League they'll be in next season. I find this a totally ridiculous situation and one that shouldn't happen but, there it is, right in front of us.

This new rule needs amending before the start of next season. Spying once is a 6 or maybe even 12 point deduction or, if it's a playoff game, disqualification. Done it more than once? Relegation. No appeals.

or spy on boro once, 12 points awarded.

[SithHappens]

Southampton booted out play offs and boro reinstated.

Totally disproportionate punishment.

[macstheman]

Also spied on Ipswich and Oxford! 4pt penalty for next season!
All subject to appeal of course.

[MadAmster]

Also spied on Ipswich and Oxford! 4pt penalty for next season!
All subject to appeal of course.

Hadn't the EFL stipulated there was no appeal on this?

Seen folk online complaining that as Oxford were one of the relegated sides, shouldn't they now stay up and WBA get relegated in their place. It seems the Oxford spying affair was prior to the game Oxford won 2-1 so they already have those 3 points and can't be given 3 more for that game. as it was they came up 4 points short. Oxford, deservedly, go down.

My hope is that this will deter others from spying. I also hope that the EFL now removes the "within 72 hours of a game" stipulation. Clubs already have access to video of every game their opponents have played. Sending spies to spot tactics aimed at a specific game is, IMO, going way too far. Ban it, once and for all, with relegation as the one sanction.

[ramAnag]

Southampton booted out play offs and boro reinstated.

Totally disproportionate punishment.

Inclined to agree. EFL need to sort themselves out and provide greater clarification. Typical Gibson. Really hope Hull win.

[macstheman]

Hadn't the EFL stipulated there was no appeal on this?

Seen folk online complaining that as Oxford were one of the relegated sides, shouldn't they now stay up and WBA get relegated in their place. It seems the Oxford spying affair was prior to the game Oxford won 2-1 so they already have those 3 points and can't be given 3 more for that game. as it was they came up 4 points short. Oxford, deservedly, go down.

My hope is that this will deter others from spying. I also hope that the EFL now removes the "within 72 hours of a game" stipulation. Clubs already have access to video of every game their opponents have played. Sending spies to spot tactics aimed at a specific game is, IMO, going way too far. Ban it, once and for all, with relegation as the one sanction.

Saints expected to appeal today with decision to follow also today (source BBC).
I personally agree with the punishment in fact I tend to agree with MA in that relegation should be a real consideration. The rules are quite clear on this so no excuse just suck it up Saints and apologise to the football community and to your own fans! As always the fans pay the price for those at the clubs making garbage decisions. Saints fans should demand the ousting of all those at the club who were involved in this, inevitably for some considerable time other clubs fans will be giving them some right grief when travelling to support their club.

[Ramshank72]

Saints expected to appeal today with decision to follow also today (source BBC).
I personally agree with the punishment in fact I tend to agree with MA in that relegation should be a real consideration. The rules are quite clear on this so no excuse just suck it up Saints and apologise to the football community and to your own fans! As always the fans pay the price for those at the clubs making garbage decisions. Saints fans should demand the ousting of all those at the club who were involved in this, inevitably for some considerable time other clubs fans will be giving them some right grief when travelling to support their club.

Absolutely. The rules are clear, don't cheat. I don't even know why they would, you can watch every minute of every previous game if you wanted.
Hoping for a Hull victory against Boro, which means they won't!

[MadAmster]

Looking at it from a wider perspective, look at what happened to the Canadian coaches at the Paris Olympcs. 12 month bans. They had also done similar at the 2024 Copa America.

Should some of the Soton coaches get bans?