Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons says the club was wrong to spy on opponents but claims the decision to expel them from the Championship play-offs is manifestly disproportionate.An Independent Disciplinary Commission yesterday kicked Southampton out of the play-offs, ruling they would be replaced in the final by Middlesbrough. Saints admitted to spying on Boros training session prior to the first leg of the semi-final between the sides on May 9 and also doing similar ahead of regular season games, in breach of EFL regulations.The South Coast club, who were also docked four points for the start of next season, announced they would appeal with that hearing to be held this evening.Parsons admits the club need to be punished but says the severity of the sanction far outweighs the crime and also highlighted previous rulings handed out by either the EFL or Premier League.He wrote on the clubs official website: What happened was wrong. The club has admitted breaches of EFL Regulations 3.4 and 127. We are sorry to the other clubs involved, and most of all to the Southampton supporters whose extraordinary loyalty and support this season deserved better from the club.We have provided our full co-operation to the EFLs investigation and disciplinary process. Following the appeal, we will also be writing to the EFL to volunteer our participation in a working group on the practical application and enforcement of Regulation 127 across the Championship. Contrition without change is hollow, and we intend to demonstrate change.Table of ContentsWe cannot accept a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence, says Southampton CEOEckert on brink if Southampton appeal failsWe cannot accept a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence, says Southampton CEOHe continued: On the appeal itself: we accept that there should be a sanction. What we cannot accept is a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence. Whereas Leeds United was fined �200,000 for a similar offence, Southampton has been denied the opportunity to compete in a game worth more than �200 million and one which means so much to our staff, players and supporters.We believe the financial consequence of yesterdays ruling makes it, by a very considerable distance, the largest penalty ever imposed on an English football club. Luton Towns 30-point deduction in 2008/09 to date the most severe sporting sanction in the English game was levied against a club already in League Two, with no comparable revenue at stake. Derby Countys 21-point deduction in 2021 cost them their Championship status. Evertons eventual six-point deduction in 2023/24 followed losses of �124.5 million, a figure dwarfed by what has been taken from Southampton in a single afternoon. The largest financial penalty ever levied by the Premier League, against Chelsea in March of this year, was �10.75 million, and was accompanied by no sporting sanction whatsoever despite involving �47.5 million in undisclosed payments over seven years.We say this not to minimise what occurred at this club, which we have accepted was wrong. We say it because proportionality is itself a principle of natural justice. The Commission was entitled to impose a sanction. It was not, we will argue, entitled to impose one that is manifestly disproportionate to every previous sanction in the history of the English game.Eckert on brink if Southampton appeal failsThere have been reports today that should the appeal fail then head coach Tonda Eckert, who ordered the spying to be carried out will be sacked while there are claims the players may sue the club for loss of earnings if they are denied a place in the top flight.As it stands, Hull will play Middlesbrough at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. Hull beat Millwall over two legs to secure their place in the showpiece. Topics Southampton F.C. Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read BREAKING: Southampton EXPELLED from Championship play-offs after breaching EFL regulations Mitch Fretton 19th May, 2026 BREAKING: Middlesbrough call for Southampton to be kicked out of Championship play-off final Jon Fisher 15th May, 2026 Hull disappointed by potential final delay: Not a good look for foootball Jon Fisher 15th May, 2026 EFL could postpone Championship play-off final over Southampton spy row Nicholas McGee 14th May, 2026 Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough Saints book Wembley play-off final place Tom Rostance 12th May, 2026 Middlesbrough 0-0 Southampton: Report, result, highlights from EFL Championship play off semi final as Hellberg says alleged spying is not okay in quest to reach Premier League Ben Miller 9th May, 2026
