Southampton hit out at 'manifestly disproportionate' punishment
Southampton has appealed their removal from the Championship play-offs, claiming the punishment is excessively harsh compared to past sanctions. The club was expelled by an EFL independent disciplinary commission and faces a four-point deduction for breaching regulations. Southampton's chief executive stated that the financial implications of the ruling are unprecedented in English football history.
- ▪Southampton was expelled from the Championship play-offs and Middlesbrough was reinstated.
- ▪The club admitted to breaching two EFL regulations, resulting in a four-point deduction for the next season.
- ▪Chief executive Phil Parsons expressed that the punishment is disproportionate to previous sanctions in the sport.
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| Original publisher | BBC Sport |
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| Publication time | Wed, 20 May 2026 13:32:41 GMT |
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Southampton hit out at 'manifestly disproportionate' punishmentImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Southampton have appealed against the decision to remove the club from the Championship play-off finalByDale JohnsonFootball issues correspondentPublished20 May 2026, 14:11 BSTUpdated Just nowSouthampton say they have appealed their removal from the Championship play-offs as it is "manifestly disproportionate to every previous sanction in the history of the English game".An EFL independent disciplinary commission on Tuesday evening expelled Southampton from the play-offs and reinstated Middlesbrough, who are now set to face Hull City in the final on Saturday.The St Mary's club were also deducted four points in the Championship next season after admitting breaches of two EFL…
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