Middlesbrough Could Still Reach Premier League Amid Southampton ‘Spying’ Investigation

Middlesbrough could yet secure a place in the Championship play-off final — and potentially a route back to the Premier League — despite their semi-final defeat to Southampton on Tuesday evening.

Southampton are aiming for an immediate return to the Premier League following relegation from the top flight last season. However, their promotion hopes may now hinge on the outcome of an ongoing disciplinary investigation into allegations of spying.
The Saints progressed to the play-off final after overcoming Middlesbrough in the two-legged semi-final, with the decisive moment reportedly coming via an unfortunate extra-time cross from Shea Charles that found its way into the net.
Despite the defeat, Middlesbrough are understood to have continued training this week amid growing speculation that they could still replace Southampton in the final if sanctions are imposed.
According to reports, the English Football League has charged Southampton with breaching two league regulations relating to acting in good faith and the monitoring of opposition training sessions.
The allegations emerged after Middlesbrough staff reportedly claimed that a Southampton analyst was spotted potentially filming training activities from bushes near the club’s Rockliffe Hall training complex close to Darlington.
Reports from the Daily Mail suggest Middlesbrough are pushing for a significant “sporting sanction” rather than a financial penalty, with the possibility of Southampton being removed from the final under discussion.
Such a punishment would go far beyond the sanction handed to Leeds United in 2019, when former manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted sending scouts to observe opponents’ training sessions throughout the campaign. Leeds were ultimately fined £200,000 over the incident.
Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg argued that a financial punishment would not reflect the seriousness of the allegations, insisting many clubs would willingly pay such fines if it meant gaining a competitive advantage.
“They see everything we do, and that’s OK? I just think it’s strange that they would do that and try to cheat in this type of game,” Hellberg said.
“I know Bielsa paid £200,000, but that was not the law then. I think a lot of clubs would happily pay that amount to gain an advantage by watching your final training sessions before a match.”
EFL officials are reportedly aiming to complete both the hearing and any potential appeal process before the Championship play-off final on 23 May, with an independent disciplinary panel expected to deliver the final verdict.
Southampton have acknowledged the charges but have declined to comment further until the process has concluded.
Should the club avoid expulsion from the final, alternative sanctions — including a possible points deduction — could still be considered.