Football club Southampton has been disqualified from the Championship playoffs due to espionage. The team was set to play against Hala in the playoff final on Saturday, aiming for a place in the Premier League. Prior to this, Southampton had defeated Middlesbrough in the semi-final. However, their espionage activities during Middlesbrough's training sessions have resulted in severe penalties.

Southampton, owned by Dragan Šolak, was caught spying on Middlesbrough's training, leading to their disqualification and a four-point deduction in the upcoming season. Middlesbrough will now take Southampton's place in the final against Hala, a match often referred to as the most expensive in football due to the lucrative Premier League spot at stake.

Southampton has filed an appeal against the decision. The English Football League accused Southampton of "observing or attempting to observe the training of another club within 72 hours of a scheduled match" and not acting "in good faith" towards the other team. Middlesbrough reported that a Southampton coaching staff member was found watching and recording their training at the Rockcliffe Park base on Thursday, two days before their 0-0 draw in the semi-final.

"The club is fully cooperating with the league and disciplinary commission while also conducting an internal investigation to ensure all facts and context are correctly understood," Southampton stated in a press release. "Given the match schedule and the short time frame between the matches, we have requested time to thoroughly and responsibly complete this process. We understand the discussions and speculations that have followed, but it is important to establish the full context before drawing conclusions."

Southampton's manager, Tonda Ekert, left the Saturday press conference after the match without addressing the espionage allegations.