Football Association is investigating Southampton’s conduct after the club admitted to spying on three other Championship sides during the past season.
Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs after admitting observing opponents’ training sessions within 72 hours of a game, with Middlesbrough reinstated to contest Saturday’s final against Hull City
Saints have also been deducted four points in the Championship next season.
Southampton’s appeal against the punishment on the grounds that it was “disproportionate” was dismissed on Wednesday evening.
A spokesperson for the FA, which governs football in England, said it “won’t comment further until we have assessed the evidence”.
The English Football League, which brought the charges against Southampton, can only take action against its member clubs.
With the FA now looking into the matter the individuals involved could face charges, and potential bans.
At the 2024 Olympics, Canada’s women’s team were found guilty of spying on New Zealand.
World governing body Fifa banned three members of staff – including the head coach Bev Priestman – from football for a year.
Southampton admitted spying on Middlesbrough before the first leg of the play-off semi-final, along with Oxford United at Christmas and Ipswich Town last month.
When Saints hosted Ipswich on 28 April the two teams were in direct competition vying to finish second and earn automatic promotion. The game ended 2-2.
Southampton have no further right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Championship play-off final will now go ahead at Wembley on Saturday between Hull City and Middlesbrough (15:30 BST kick-off), with a place in the Premier League on the line.
“A league arbitration panel has dismissed Southampton Football Club’s appeal against the independent disciplinary commission’s sanction following the admittance of multiple breaches of EFL regulations,” the EFL said on Wednesday evening.
Saints called the ruling “an extremely disappointing outcome”.
It added: “While we fully acknowledge the seriousness of this matter and the scrutiny that has followed, the club has consistently believed the original sporting sanction was disproportionate, a view that has been widely shared by many in the football community over the last 24 hours.”
Hull, meanwhile, are unhappy they will have to face different opponents at short notice, with owner Acun Ilicali suggesting the club could take legal action if they lose the final.
Ilicali told Sky Sports he was not happy with the situation, but there was no other option “in order to finish this mess”.
More to follow.
