Southampton loses appeal in spying case that cost it a chance at promotion to Premier League

Southampton's appeal against its expulsion from the Championship playoff final because of spying offenses was dismissed on Wednesday.

An arbitration panel upheld the English Football League's decision to remove Southampton from Saturday's final, meaning Middlesbrough will take its place and play Hull at Wembley Stadium for the chance to win promotion to the Premier League.

The decision is final.

Southampton was expelled on Tuesday after admitting to repeatedly spying on opponents.

It was charged earlier this month for the unauthorized filming of Middlesbrough’s practice sessions ahead of their semifinal. It went on to win the two-legged tie to go within one game of promotion to the top flight.

The southcoast club subsequently admitted further breaches this season concerning games against Oxford United and Ipswich. It was also deducted four points for next season.

In its appeal, it described its punishment as “manifestly disproportionate” to any previous sanction in English soccer history.

In a long club statement, Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons had accepted “what happened was wrong” and that the club deserved to be sanctioned.

“What we cannot accept,” he said, “is a sanction which bears no proportion to the offense.”

The playoff final is labeled the world’s richest one-off soccer match because a windfall of at least $270 million in future earnings is on offer for the winning team.

Promotion to the top flight of English soccer — the world’s wealthiest and most-watched league — brings with it access to its multibillion dollar global broadcast deals as well as sold out stadiums for games against the biggest teams in the world like Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Southampton was relegated from the Premier League after finishing bottom of the standings last season and was aiming to make an immediate return.

The league said the final would go ahead on Saturday, kicking off at 3.30 p.m. local time.

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Southampton's Welington, right, and Ryan Manning celebrate at the final whistle in the EFL Championship play off semifinal soccer game between Southampton and Middlesbrough, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in, Southampton, England. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)

FILE - Southampton's coach Tonda Eckert reacts during the FA Cup semifinal soccer match between Manchester City and Southampton in Manchester, England, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File(

NEW CHANDIGARH, India (AP) — Afghanistan hit back with three wickets in the opening session of Day 2 but India remains in control at 475-6 in its first innings in a one-off cricket test.

Mohammad Saleem added two more wickets to his tally as India added another 107 for the loss of three wickets in the first session Sunday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

After joining Lokesh Rahul (100) with a century of his own on Day 1, Indian skipper Shubman Gill could only add another 23 runs before he was caught behind off Saleem (4-109) for 126, with 15 fours and a six.

Gill and Rishabh Pant put on 169 runs for the fourth wicket to seize control for the hosts.

Pant then added a quick-fire 36 runs with Dhruv Jurel before the set duo was out in the space of six deliveries – Saleem bowled Jurel (19) to get his fourth, while Pant was caught at the boundary off Hashmatullah Shahidi for 8

Washington Sundar was 14 not out and debutant Manav Suthar was on nine at the break.

It is only the second test between the teams – India had hosted Afghanistan’s inaugural test in Bengaluru and the home side won by an innings and 262 runs.

On Day 1, India had won the toss and opted to bat, finishing the day at 368-3.

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India's debutant Manav Suthar bats on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's Washington Sundar, right, bats on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's Rishabh Pant bats on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's Dhruv Jurel, center, is bowled out by Afghanistan's Mohammad Saleem, left, on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's captain Shubman Gill bats on day two of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)