Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Wed 13 May 2026 19:48, UK Updated Wed 13 May 2026 20:23, UK

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Southampton’s reason for removing the ticket information from their website for their Championship play-off final has been put down to a communication error involving Hull City.

An independent panel is currently investigating the Saints after a member of staff allegedly spied on Middlesbrough ahead of the first-leg of their play-off semi-final tie.

The initial allegation has caused many to doubt the legitimacy of their impressive run of recent form, and they could be thrown out of the play-offs if found guilty.

Southampton’s progression to the final against Hull has heightened the importance of the investigation, with an outcome expected to be reached before they are scheduled to face off on 23 May.

Some recent activity on the Saints’ website has led many fans and neutrals to believe that they are expecting to be excluded from the final, but a new report has revealed more details.

Southampton’s ticket info deletion put down to wrong timing

Southampton revealed everything that their fans needed to know about play-off final tickets on their social media pages and website on Wednesday morning.

Everything connected to the ticket information was subsequently deleted on Wednesday afternoon, sending supporters into a frenzy about an imminent outcome from the spying investigation.

Daily Echo journalist, Alfie House, has revealed what the club are putting the deletion down to on X, saying: “Saints are telling me that they’ve been told they were meant to publish it at the same time as Hull City.”

Hull are yet to reveal any ticket details about the final, so their explanation holds up, but fans are convinced that the deletion is related to the ongoing investigation.

Southampton told they could be expelled from play-off final by former PGMOL chief

Images showing the man alleged to have spied on Boro have circulated online over the last 24 hours, with added pressure now on the relevant authorities to reach a final decision.

The investigation remains ongoing, but speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has insisted that Southampton could be thrown out of the play-offs if found guilty.

He said: “If proven that spying has taken place and EFL regulations have been broken, the impact could create a rematch or, at worst for Southampton, Middlesbrough advance in the competition.

“It appears wise to me that both teams remain in training. The EFL must resolve this issue quickly.”