Middlesbrough is gearing up to return to training on Friday as they prepare for a potential playoff final against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday week. Despite losing the semi-final to Southampton, Boro is pushing for the south-coast club's expulsion from the playoffs following allegations of spying.

The controversy erupted when William Salt, an analyst for Southampton, was reportedly caught spying on Kim Hellberg’s team at their training base in Rockliffe Park last Thursday. Consequently, Southampton faces misconduct charges from the English Football League (EFL), with hopes that an independent disciplinary commission will reach a verdict soon.

This panel has the authority to impose various penalties, including fines, point deductions, or even expulsion from the playoffs. The EFL references a previous case involving the Canada Women’s team, which faced severe sanctions for similar spying incidents at the 2024 Paris Olympics. A swift resolution is anticipated, although an appeal process exists.

Kim Hellberg and his squad are scheduled to meet on Thursday before resuming full training. Hellberg has planned every day leading up to the final, including behind-closed-doors matches to help key midfielder Hayden Hackney regain fitness after a calf injury.

If Southampton is found guilty, a sporting sanction appears more likely than a fine, with the precedent set by the Priestman case suggesting a possible points deduction could be a viable alternative to expulsion.

In a related incident, Luke Ayling of Boro has opted not to pursue allegations of discriminatory language directed at him by Taylor Harwood-Bellis during the semi-final. Although the incident was noted in the referee's report, Boro has informed the Football Association that Ayling does not wish to take further action.