Southampton ‘Spygate’ hearing may not take place until Tuesday

By Simon Peach and Jamie Gardner, Press Association

Spying charges against Southampton may not be heard until Tuesday, placing a question mark over the scheduling of next week’s Championship play-off final.

The club were charged last week by the EFL with spying on a training session held by semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, with the league asking for an independent commission to examine the case “at the earliest opportunity”.

The EFL issued a statement on Thursday afternoon to say the hearing would take place “on or before Tuesday, May 19”.

EFL Statement: Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final

📘 https://t.co/akS6GzfLVz pic.twitter.com/csMb50eYmn

— EFL Communications (@EFL_Comms) May 14, 2026

Given the high stakes involved, an appeal from one or more parties in the case seems almost certain, putting a question mark over whether the appeal could be heard before the date scheduled for the final, May 23rd, if the initial hearing does not happen until Tuesday.

However, the EFL said it “continues to plan on the basis that the Championship play-off final will take place as scheduled”.

The EFL said the match was scheduled to kick off at 4.30pm.