The Championship play-off final is under a cloud. The English Football League (EFL) is investigating the Spygate scandal surrounding Southampton, one of the finalists.
Spygate Hearing Could Delay Final
A hearing conducted by an Independent Disciplinary Commission will take place on or before Tuesday 19 May. The EFL is investigating the Spygate scandal surrounding finalists Southampton. Saints have been charged by the EFL with breaking rules by observing one of Middlesbrough’s training sessions before last Saturday’s semi-final first leg at the Riverside.
EFL Working on Schedule, Contingency Plans in Place
Southampton are due to face Hull City in the play-off final for a place in the Premier League next season. The match is scheduled for Saturday 23 May. The EFL has warned supporters there could be changes to the fixture. However, it is working on the basis that the final will go ahead as planned, with a kick-off time of 16:30 BST.
The EFL says it has a “number of contingency plans” available should the match need to be rescheduled due to the outcome of the hearing and any subsequent appeal process.
Wembley’s Busy Schedule
The Championship fixture is the first of three play-off finals held across three days at Wembley. The League One and Two versions are due to be held on the Sunday and Monday, respectively.
The stadium is booked out the following weekend, when the Rugby League Challenge Cup final will be played on 30 May and the Women’s FA Cup final on 31 May. A major music event takes place at the stadium on the following weekend on Saturday 6 June.