EFL confirms finals play-off change opens door for Southampton Middlesbrough U-turn

The football world was shocked on Tuesday after the EFL announced that Southampton had been pulled out of their Championship Play-Off Final against Hull City and will be replaced by Middlesbrough.

The Saints were kicked out of the post-season competition by an independent commission after pleading guilty to three counts of spying, including against their semi-final opponents Middlesbrough earlier this month.

Windass are calling for the play-offs to be restarted

Wrexham striker Josh Windass has called for the Championship play-offs to restart, with his club taking part.

The independent commission reinstated Boro, who will face Hull in Saturday’s final at Wembley, pending the outcome of Southampton’s appeal.

But Windass, whose Wrexham side finished one place outside the play-offs, says the four-team competition should be completely restructured, with Wrexham replacing Southampton.

“This Southampton story is one of the craziest I’ve seen,” Windass wrote on his Instagram Story.

“But why don’t the play-offs start again with 4 other teams?

Southampton has confirmed to the Press Association that it will contest the sanctions imposed, and on Wednesday the league’s arbitration panel was called to hear the appeal.

And Sky Sports have now joined the “breaking news” of the final, with Saints, Boro and Hull supporters all left in limbo this week.

EFL delays start amid Southampton appeal

Sharing an update from the EFL live on Sky Sports News on Wednesday morning, the Sky presenter revealed: “Breaking news about Spygate.

“It’s time for the final. It has been confirmed that Hull will face Middlesbrough at 15:30, it was supposed to be 16:30, however there is an ongoing appeal process.

“If Southampton are successful in that appeal and Hull City face Southampton, kick-off will remain at 16:30.

“I know you’re all asking why, for now I have to admit, I don’t know!”

And while the reason has yet to be revealed, the change suggests the EFL admits the Saints’ appeal could succeed, opening the door to another change to Hull’s opposition.

Former Southampton striker Brett Ormerod also said the EFL’s punishment was “too harsh”.

Speaking on Radio 5 Live, he said: “Why do Southampton feel the need to do it – because every club has an analytics team.

“With my hand on my heart, I don’t see why they felt the need to do it. You can have all the information you want but it doesn’t win football games – the players win.

“I think it is extremely harsh and I hope it will be answered. I feel sorry for the players and the fans.”