Spygate: Southampton’s Championship play-off fate to be determined as date set for independent hearing | football news

The independent hearing to decide Southampton’s final Championship play-off fate will be held on or before Tuesday, May 19 – but the date of the match at Wembley could be changed four days later.

That independent commission will meet to decide what happens to the Saints, who are set to meet Hull City at Wembley on Saturday 23 May, with kick-off now scheduled for 4.30pm.

However, the EFL revealed that there are contingency plans for changes to the final proceedings “should they become necessary” – including if an appeals process takes place for hearings.

The exact date and time of the preliminary independent hearing is yet to be determined.

In a statement, the EFL said: “As the proceedings are being conducted by an independent disciplinary commission, the EFL does not control the proposed schedule.

“Despite this, the EFL is proceeding with plans on the basis that the Championship play-off final will take place as scheduled on Saturday 23 May, with kick-off time confirmed at 4.30pm.

“However, supporters should be aware that the outcome of disciplinary proceedings could still change the fixture. The EFL has a number of contingency plans in place should the need arise, including considering any appeal process if necessary.”

It is possible that Southampton could be knocked out of the Championship play-offs and denied the chance of promotion to the Premier League, if an independent commission upholds allegations that Middlesbrough spied on training sessions for their play-off semi-final.

Southampton were charged with breaching EFL regulations following Middlesbrough’s complaint Southampton staff spied on one of their training sessions.

Sky Sports News A photo has since been obtained showing a man with a camera outside Middlesbrough’s training ground.

What are Southampton, Middlesbrough and Hull doing ahead of the final?

MiddlesbroughIts players will return to the club’s training ground on Monday – with their summer plans on hold.

The squad, who were knocked out of the Championship play-offs by Southampton on Tuesday, will be given the weekend off before returning to training next week.

The training pitch was supposed to be open, but that too has been put on hold. The players returned on Thursday for a recovery session and debrief.

SouthamptonMeanwhile, its players are enjoying a few days off before returning to practice on Sunday.

The Saints’ plan was to give the squad and staff some rest and recovery time after an intense few days and a busy end to the season.

The club’s progress in the FA Cup meant they had to move a number of league matches to midweek which made for a frantic end to the campaign.

Ticket information has been released

Speaking about the decision to continue with ticket sales as normal, the EFL statement said: “This decision follows ongoing coordination with clubs to ensure that on-sale arrangements can be implemented as quickly as possible.

“The league recognizes that this complex situation has caused concern and disruption for supporters, particularly those making travel arrangements, and will continue to provide as much clarity as possible.

“However, in these clearly exceptional circumstances, the league considers this to be the most appropriate course of action.”

Both Southampton And Hull City Then released information about tickets for the play-off final at Wembley.

Hull have been allocated 35,984 tickets for the east side of Wembley Stadium, with seats from the North Stand round to the South Stand.

Hull added this warning to their ticketing information, following the EFL’s statement earlier on Thursday: “Following recent communication from the EFL, supporters must be aware that the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings involving Southampton may still change the fixture.”

The same number of tickets are allocated to the west side of Southampton Stadium.