Southampton and Middlesbrough are still waiting for the results of the hearing into allegations that a member of the Saints staff spied on a Boro training session two days before the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

Tonda Eckert’s men were held to a 0-0 tie by Kim Helberg’s team in the first leg, but won 2-1 in the second leg due to goals from Ross Stewart and Shea Charles.

However, if the St Mary’s Stadium outfit is found guilty of spying on a Boro training session, they may be thrown out of the play-offs, while other possible sanctions include a fine, a points deduction, or a transfer embargo, according to the EFL rulebook.

Meanwhile, in the other Championship play-off semi-final, Hull City defeated Millwall 2-0 in the second leg, although they have still to learn who their Wembley opponent would be.

Southampton, Middlesbrough, and Hull City may have to wait longer for the outcome of the ‘Spygate’ hearing.

The independent disciplinary commission’s hearing into the spying claims against Southampton is likely to complete on Tuesday.

Four days until the play-off final.

According to BBC Sport, the case might last until Wednesday, depending on how long discussions take.

According to the source, if the Saints are eliminated from the play-offs, the game will most likely be rescheduled because it would be unjust for Hull to have their opponents changed just 72 hours before kickoff.

Furthermore, Middlesbrough would need time to sell their ticket allocation, while Southampton would most likely dispute any decision to remove their participation in the final.

The EFL is anticipated to request a response to a prospective appeal by Friday, according to the aforementioned BBC Sport article.

If the play-off final is relocated, it may have to be played in the middle of the week because Wembley Stadium is scheduled for the weekend of May 30 and May 31, although an alternative site may be utilized to ensure that the event takes place on the weekend.

Hull haven’t played in the Premier League since being relegated, and Southampton are hoping to get promoted from the Championship for the first time.

Middlesbrough were relegated from the top division alongside the Tigers in 2017, and they will be equally eager to gain promotion if given the chance to compete in the play-off finals.

Southampton, Hull, and Boro need a speedy solution to the spying controversy.

The Championship play-offs are one of the most anticipated aspects of any EFL season, but the 2025/26 edition will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, thanks to the spying claims against Southampton.

Meanwhile, the Saints and Middlesbrough need to know the outcome of the hearing as soon as possible so that they may arrange their next measures properly.

Hull, in particular, deserve a quick resolution given they had no participation in the eavesdropping scandal, although their play-off final might be rescheduled or their opponent changed at the last minute.

The Tigers did an outstanding job to defeat Millwall, who nearly missed out on automatic promotion, in their semi-final, and the present controversy surrounding the final is not their rightful reward.