Southampton have faced a significant setback as their appeal against expulsion from the Championship play-offs has been rejected. The independent disciplinary commission had previously ruled that the club committed multiple breaches by spying on other teams, notably their play-off semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.

The decision to expel Southampton from the play-off final was upheld by a league arbitration panel, which also imposed a four-point deduction for the upcoming season. Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 to Southampton in the semi-finals, will now compete against Hull in the play-off final at Wembley on Saturday.

In a club statement, Southampton expressed their disappointment, labeling the ruling as "disproportionate" and acknowledging the impact on their supporters and community. The club's leadership emphasized their commitment to rebuild trust and accountability following this incident.

Key points from Southampton's statement include:

• Recognition of the seriousness of the situation.
• Apologies to supporters, players, and staff affected by the decision.
• An intention to reflect on the events and learn from them moving forward.

Southampton, who finished fourth in the regular season, were reported by Middlesbrough after an intern was caught recording a training session. They admitted to spying on other teams, including Oxford and Ipswich.

Chief executive Phil Parsons criticized the severity of the punishment, stating it could cost the club over £200 million in lost promotion opportunities, contrasting it with lesser penalties imposed on other clubs for similar offenses. The EFL is expected to release detailed reasons for their decision soon, while Southampton awaits potential misconduct charges against individuals, including manager Tonda Eckert.