Disqualification! Drama hits the Premier League promotion race

Caspar Jander

The already thrilling race for the final promotion spot to the Premier League has taken a dramatic turn.

Southampton FC's hopes of returning to the Premier League have been dashed. The English Football League (EFL) removed the club from the promotion play-off final against Hull City following a spying scandal, and imposed a four-point deduction for the forthcoming Championship campaign.

Middlesbrough FC will now face Hull City at Wembley on Saturday for the final Championship play-off spot. Boro were eliminated by Southampton in the semi-finals (0–0, 1–2 a.e.t.). Yet, before the first leg, a Saints official was caught spying on Middlesbrough's training session.

The EFL subsequently confirmed that Southampton had admitted to "several breaches of EFL regulations relating to the unauthorised filming of other clubs' training sessions", and the club received a formal reprimand.

Following the disclosure, Saints boss Eckert (33) was asked if he was a cheat. Pressed repeatedly on the issue after the Boro games, he stormed out of both press conferences.