Legal threat looms over Southampton as Millwall and Wrexham react to ongoing ‘Spygate’ saga

Middlesbrough will meet Hull City in the Championship play-off final at Wembley after Southampton were removed from the competition following the ongoing “Spygate” scandal.

Southampton were expelled after admitting to breaching EFL rules by spying on Middlesbrough ahead of their semi-final first leg. Although they went on to win the second leg 2-1, their place in the final was later awarded to Middlesbrough, who will now contest Saturday’s Wembley showdown against Hull City for promotion to the Premier League.

According to reports, Championship clubs Millwall and Wrexham are now considering whether to pursue legal action in response to the wider fallout from the case. Both sides are reportedly waiting for the full written judgment from the independent disciplinary panel before deciding their next steps, as they assess whether there are grounds for compensation claims.

Millwall were beaten by Hull in the play-off semi-finals, while Wrexham narrowly missed out on the play-offs after finishing seventh in the table. Wrexham have confirmed they are monitoring the situation closely, with a club spokesperson saying they are awaiting the official details of the ruling. Millwall, meanwhile, have not publicly commented.

Southampton’s punishment was officially confirmed this week after their appeal was rejected. As part of the sanctions, the club will also begin the 2026/27 Championship season with a four-point deduction.

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has also weighed in on the controversy, stating that the situation remains complicated while legal advice is being considered over whether his side should be promoted directly. However, he admitted no final decision has been made.

The Football Association has also launched its own investigation into the matter, confirming it will review the evidence before making further comment.

For Middlesbrough and Hull City, attention now turns to Wembley, where the winner will secure promotion to the Premier League in a clash between two former top-flight sides.