Southampton face a make‑or‑break hearing as the EFL independent disciplinary commission convenes on Tuesday. The club stands accused of sending an analyst to film Middlesbrough’s training session 48 hours before their play‑off semi‑final, a breach of Regulation 127 that bans observation within 72 hours of a match. A guilty verdict could see the Saints expelled from the promotion decider at Wembley.

Middlesbrough staff say the spy positioned himself near the club’s Rockliffe Park base, pointed a mobile phone at the drills and possibly live‑streamed the footage before fleeing and deleting the data. Photographs taken by a Boro photographer later matched the individual to a profile on Southampton’s website, prompting the club to file a formal complaint with the EFL officially.

If found guilty, the commission can impose a fine, a points deduction for next season or an outright ban from the play‑offs, a sanction that could strip the Saints of a potential £110m broadcasting windfall. Middlesbrough will not be represented at the hearing, meaning they cannot appeal any decision, while Southampton may seek a further arbitration if the panel rules against them.