Middlesbrough has urged the EFL to bar Southampton from the Championship play-off final after alleging that a Saints staff member spied on their training session. The accusation has prompted an independent disciplinary hearing and placed the May 23 match against Hull City in doubt. Southampton has launched an internal review while cooperating with the investigation.
Middlesbrough officials reported spotting a Southampton analyst filming their session at Rockliffe Park two days before the first leg of their play-off semi-final. The club described the conduct as a breach of sporting integrity and demanded Southampton's exclusion from the final as the only fitting sanction. Middlesbrough also reserved the right to pursue legal action if the matter is not resolved appropriately.
