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.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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(
In front of the future king of England, Unai Emery reaffirmed his status as the king of the Europa League.
Aston Villa beat Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul on Wednesday to secure Emery a record-extending fifth title in this competition.
Celebrating wildly inside the Tupras Stadium was lifelong Villa fan Prince William, who traveled to watch his beloved team end a 30-year wait for a major trophy.
Was the outcome ever in doubt with the ultimate Europa League specialist Emery on the sideline?
The Spanish coach has enjoyed remarkable success in Europe's second-tier competition, winning it three years running with Sevilla from 2014-16 and again with Villarreal in 2021.
Now he has led a third team with ‘Villa’ in its name to the title.
Two brilliant first-half strikes from Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia put Villa into a 2-0 lead at the break. Morgan Rogers added a third in the second half.
It was Villa's first major piece of silverware since winning the English League Cup in 1996 and its first continental title since lifting the European Cup and then the Super Cup in 1982.
German team Freiburg, which was playing in the second division 10 years ago, was outclassed in its first European final.
James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Britain's Prince William, background, celebrates Aston Villa's third goal during the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Freiburg fans cheer for their team during the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendia celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
Britain's Prince William, center, celebrates during the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo)
Freiburg's coach Julian Schuster smiles during a press conference ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool)
Aston Villa fans gather in the streets of Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa. (AP Photo)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery instructs his players during a training session ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery looks down during a press conference ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool)
Aston Villa fans light flares and chant as they gather in the streets of Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, ahead of the Europa League final soccer match between Freiburg and Aston Villa. (AP Photo)
