Credit: Imago, Getty

Oliver Walton

Wed 20 May 2026 17:17, UK

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Keith Hackett has insisted that Hull City will not be allowed to win promotion from the Championship without playing in the play-off final as they plan to make a case following Southampton’s expulsion.

Southampton were thrown out of the play-offs on Tuesday after they admitted to spying on several Championship rivals and semi-final opponents Middlesbrough before their first leg clash.

An independent panel found them guilty of numerous offences against the EFL’s rules, with Hull now set to face Boro at Wembley on Saturday for a place in the top flight.

The Saints have appealed the decision, while new reports have claimed that Hull have contacted lawyers to potentially build a case for being promoted without facing Kim Hellberg’s side.

Tigers owner Acun Ilicali has publicly insisted that his club should be granted immediate promotion to the Premier League, but former PGMOL chief Hackett does not expect their possible case to be successful.

Hull’s chances of a successful appeal doubted due to EFL’s logistical issues

Speaking to Turkish media on Tuesday, Ilicali said: “Our lawyers’ opinion is that we should go directly to the Premier League, but they’re examining it right now. We can’t say anything definitive. It’s a bit of a messy situation.”

Former PGMOL boss and FIFA referee Hackett has exclusively told Football Insider that he does not expect Hull to be granted promotion without playing in the final, as the EFL will have already have everything in place for the game to go ahead on Saturday.

He said: “Given the courageous decision by the EFL to throw Southampton out of the play-off final, it is more than likely that a great deal of deliberation will have taken place before reinstating Middlesbrough.

“The EFL will want to see a game at Wembley, having already committed a high cost to book the venue and arrange food, notwithstanding television etcetera.

“I do believe that the Hull City approach will fail.”

Opta back Middlesbrough to reach the Premier League through play-off final

Hull finished seven points behind Boro in the second-tier standings, but did beat Hellberg’s side 1-0 in their last meeting at the end of December.

They may not fancy their chances of a victory on Saturday as an appeal is considered, with Ilicali also pointing out that Sergej Jakirovic and his coaches will only have a matter of days to prepare their players to face Boro after Southampton were thrown out.

Opta‘s supercomputer makes for worrying reading for Tigers fans, as they are given just a 25.7 per cent chance of winning the final compared to Middlesbrough’s 50.2 per cent.