Southampton have been expelled from the Championship playoff final after admitting to spying on opponents' training sessions. The club called the sanctions "manifestly disproportionate" and announced plans to appeal the decision, which also includes a four-point deduction for next season.

An independent commission imposed the penalty after Southampton admitted to spying on Middlesbrough, Oxford, and Ipswich training sessions. The club claims this is the largest financial penalty ever imposed on an English football club, comparing it to historical sanctions including Luton Town's 30-point deduction in 2008-09 and Chelsea's recent £10.75m fine.

The stakes are enormous for Southampton, with promotion to the Premier League worth an estimated £200 million. Club chief executive Phil Parsons apologized to supporters but maintained the punishment is excessive, especially when compared to Leeds' £200,000 fine for a similar offense. Middlesbrough has been reinstated in the playoff final against Hull.