Championship Play-Off Final Date Confirmed Amid Southampton Appeal Drama
The EFL has confirmed that the Championship play-off final is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 23, despite Southampton appealing against their expulsion from the competition. Southampton was replaced by Middlesbrough for the Wembley showdown against Hull City after admitting to spying on Boro before the semi-final. The club has also received a four-point deduction for next season for similar actions against Oxford United and Ipswich Town during the Championship campaign.
Southampton has lodged an appeal against the decision made by the EFL's Independent Disciplinary Commission, with a verdict expected to be announced on May 20. However, the EFL has stated that the play-off final will proceed as planned, regardless of the appeal's outcome. If the match remains between Middlesbrough and Hull, it will kick off at 3.30pm, but if Southampton is reinstated, the game will start at 4.30pm.
The confirmation of the play-off final date allows Hull supporters to make travel arrangements with more certainty, while Middlesbrough and Southampton will have to wait for the outcome of the appeal. The play-off final is widely regarded as the most lucrative game in world football, with the winners guaranteed a minimum of £110m in Premier League broadcast revenue.
In conclusion, the EFL has announced that the Championship play-off final will proceed as scheduled on May 23, despite Southampton's appeal against their expulsion. The game will feature Middlesbrough facing off against Hull City, with the kick-off time set for 3.30pm, unless Southampton is reinstated, in which case the match will start at 4.30pm. The outcome of Southampton's appeal remains pending, but the EFL has confirmed that the final will take place regardless of the appeal's result.