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Spygate flips the final
Southampton were expelled from the Championship play-offs after the 'Spygate' scandal, and Middlesbrough were reinstated to face Hull City in the final at Wembley on Saturday 23 May with kick-off set for 3.30pm BST.
“Tuesday brought the news that Southampton had been expelled from the Championship play-offs for spying on opponents”
The BBC said the pre-match talk was overshadowed by the team not involved in the match after Tuesday brought the news that Southampton had been expelled for spying on opponents, with their place in the final against Hull City taken by Middlesbrough, who they had beaten in the semis.
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic said, "For sure it's a relief because since Tuesday evening we've known who we are playing against," after Southampton’s expulsion forced a reset in preparation for a new opponent.
Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg described the week as "a crazy time, back and forth with a lot of emotions from losing the game," after the defeat to Southampton on Tuesday May 12 and the subsequent uncertainty over whether they would be in the final.
The BBC framed the matchup as the £200m game at Wembley, with Hull and Middlesbrough set to decide promotion to the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Voices on fairness and fallout
Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside, "We can say everything is unfair in this last two weeks," adding, "We are collateral damage because we are waiting on [an] opponent and you don't know what's going on, what's happening."
Hellberg said at his first press conference since reinstatement, "It's been a crazy time, back and forth with a lot of emotions from losing the game," and he also said, "The sad thing is you have to look at that."
The BBC reported that Saints appealed unsuccessfully against the decision, with an independent commission ruling their boss Tonda Eckert had "specifically authorised the observations".
The Sky Sports account said the FA launched an investigation into Southampton amid the 'Spygate' scandal, and it noted that Hellberg’s comments included sympathy for supporters who thought they were going to Wembley.
With the final set, the BBC also said influential skipper Hayden Hackney was back after 10 games out with a groin injury, while Scotland forward Tommy Conway was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Promotion stakes at Wembley
The Independent said Hull City and a reprieved Middlesbrough would battle for promotion to the Premier League after Southampton were ejected from the Championship play-off final, with the Teessiders taking up a place at Wembley.
“Hull City and a reprieved Middlesbrough will battle for promotion to the Premier League”
CBS Sports framed the occasion as the EFL Championship playoffs coming to an end on Saturday, May 23 with the promotion final determining whether Hull City or Middlesbrough would get a spot in the 2026-27 English Premier League season.
The BBC described the match as the £200m game at Wembley and said it would end a nine-year absence for Middlesbrough, who were set to return to the Premier League after nine years away.
Sports Mole said the victors would join second-tier champions Coventry City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League next season, while also noting that Hull were set to do battle under the Wembley arch after their 2-0 playoff semi-final win over Millwall.
In the build-up, the BBC added that Hull were looking for a third win in their third Championship play-off final, while Middlesbrough were aiming to seize a final reprieve after being reinstated following their rollercoaster season.
