City now have clarity on Saturday’s Championship play-off final opponent
Southampton and Taylor Harwood-Bellis will not be taking part in the Championship play-off final(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Hull City will face Middlesbrough in Saturday’s Championship play-off final at Wembley after Southampton’s appeal against expulsion was dismissed.
Southampton were kicked out of the play-offs on Tuesday after admitting multiple breaches of spying rules, and were also docked four points that will come into effect next season.
An independent panel head Southampton’s appeal on Wednesday evening, but it was dismissed, and now City can look forward to Saturday’s clash with Boro under the Wembley arch for a place in the Premier League, with the game kicking off at 3:30 pm.
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“A League Arbitration Panel has tonight dismissed Southampton Football Club’s appeal against the Independent Disciplinary Commission’s sanction following the admittance of multiple breaches of EFL Regulations,” the league said in a statement on Wednesday evening.
“The determination means that the original sanction of expulsion from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs remains in place, as does the four-point deduction to be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table and the reprimand in respect of all charges.
“The Club submitted its appeal following yesterday’s decision of the Independent Disciplinary Commission in respect of breaches of EFL Regulations {see HERE}. As per EFL Regulations, the decision of the League Arbitration Panel is final and cannot be appealed.
“Following the conclusion of the proceedings, the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final between Hull City and Middlesbrough is confirmed as taking place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 23 May, kicking off at 3:30pm.
“The League Arbitration Panel’s written reasons will be published in due course along with the Independent Disciplinary Commission’s full decision.”
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