Middlesbrough call for Southampton ban from Championship playoff final over spying probe

MIDDLESBROUGH, England (AP) — Middlesbrough are calling for Southampton to be thrown out of the EFL Championship playoff final while the English Football League prepares a hearing on spying allegations tied to the semifinals.

Southampton knocked Middlesbrough out of the playoffs after claims that the club filmed Middlesbrough's training without permission ahead of that match. The league has told supporters the May 23 final could face "changes", leaving Hull — winners of the other semifinal — unsure who they will meet for a Premier League place.

"The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition," Middlesbrough said. "In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship playoff final."

Middlesbrough said they "regret" the disciplinary commission's decision not to let them take part in the process and urged the English Football League to impose a stiff penalty to "deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League."

Southampton have previously said they are cooperating with the disciplinary process and have asked for more time to finish their own internal review of the matter.