{"id":191,"date":"2026-05-14T16:06:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T16:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=191"},"modified":"2026-05-14T16:06:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T16:06:41","slug":"championship-playoff-final-could-change-supporters-warned-after-southampton-spying-accusations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=191","title":{"rendered":"Championship playoff final could change, supporters warned after Southampton spying accusations"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
Southampton\u2019s 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)<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

MANCHESTER, England \u2014 The possibility Southampton could be removed from the Championship playoff final over spying allegations<\/a> was raised on Thursday when fans were warned there may be changes to the game that decides who is promoted to the Premier League.<\/p>

Read more Mapping where the redistricting fight stands and where it\u2019s headed<\/a><\/p>\n

Southampton was charged by the English Football League last Friday with a breach of its regulations, accused of unauthorized filming of semifinal opponent Middlesbrough\u2019s practice sessions.<\/p>\n

The hearing into the allegations will be held on or before May 19, the league said on Thursday. It added it was still planning on staging the Wembley final as scheduled on May 23, but fans should be \u201caware that the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe League recognises that this complex situation has caused concern and disruption for supporters, particularly those making travel arrangements, and will continue to provide as much clarity as possible,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

Southampton went on to win its two-legged semifinal against Middlesbrough<\/a> and is due to face Hull at Wembley.<\/p>

Read more Oilers fire Kris Knoblauch after 1st-round playoff exit that followed 2 Stanley Cup Final trips<\/a><\/p>\n

The league\u2019s statement did not disclose what the potential changes would be and it did not mention possible punishments if Southampton was found guilty.<\/p>\n

But the suggestion there could be an impact on the final raised the possibility that the south-coast club may be barred from taking part, or the match could be postponed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe EFL has a number of contingency plans should they be required, which also includes consideration of any appeal process, if required,\u201d the league said.<\/p>

Read more FIFA announces Super Bowl-style World Cup final halftime show featuring Madonna, Shakira and BTS<\/a><\/p>\n

It added that the commission would issue a decision as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

James Robson is at https:\/\/x.com\/jamesalanrobson<\/a><\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The possibility Southampton could be removed from the Championship playoff final over spying allegations has been raised after fans were warned there may be changes to the game that decides who is promoted to the Premier League<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":189,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interesting"],"yoast_head":"\nChampionship playoff final could change, supporters warned after Southampton spying accusations - Moving Insider USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=191\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Championship playoff final could change, supporters warned after Southampton spying accusations - 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