Millwall and Wrexham are weighing their legal options following Southampton's expulsion from the Championship playoff final, a decision made by the English Football League’s independent disciplinary panel and upheld by an appeal panel on Wednesday night. Southampton's expulsion has led to Middlesbrough stepping in as the replacement for Saturday’s final.

The two clubs are anticipating the publication of the written reasons behind this controversial decision, as they believe they might have grounds for compensation. Their potential arguments include:

• Whether the EFL rulebook was correctly applied.
• If the disciplinary process was flawed, particularly concerning Southampton’s spying on Middlesbrough prior to the playoffs.

Millwall, who lost to Hull in the semi-finals, and Wrexham, finishing seventh, could argue that the playoffs should have been replayed without Southampton’s involvement.

Speculation in legal circles suggests that one of the aggrieved parties might seek an injunction at the high court to postpone the final. However, this is seen as unlikely due to timing constraints. Any legal claim would likely be retrospective, seeking damages instead.

Hull’s owner, Acun Ilicali, stated that they have received legal advice indicating they should be automatically promoted to the Premier League due to Southampton's expulsion, rather than facing Middlesbrough. Although pursuing this case seems improbable in the immediate future, Hull could also seek damages if they lose at Wembley, a match valued at a minimum of £200 million.

The upcoming publication of the written reasons is crucial, as the EFL has not provided clear explanations for their decisions. Notably, the EFL's rulebook lacks clarity on the process for replacing an expelled team, which contradicts their guidance notes stating that the playoff final should feature two semifinal winners.

Additionally, the FA is investigating Southampton’s conduct, with charges against individuals expected. The situation surrounding Southampton’s manager, Tonda Eckert, is reportedly untenable, and player Leo Scienza expressed that the expulsion is "heartbreaking" for fans who "definitely deserved better."