'I'm not sure' - PL legends raise eyebrows at Southampton's playoff final expulsion

Premier League legends Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer raised eyebrows at Southampton’s Championship playoff final expulsion.

Southampton and Middlesbrough fans spent almost a week waiting for EFL’s playoff final decision which was scheduled for Tuesday. Last night, it did come. And unfortunately, the EFL released a statement expelling Southampton from the 2025/26 Championship playoff final.

Instead, Middlesbrough are taking the Saints place to face Hull City (for now). Things can still change, though. After all, if anything, football has left the Championship playoff final long back.

All that remains is a matter of which club gets the favourable decision. From Middlesbrough’s perspective, EFL have done them justice. From Southampton’s point of view, it’s a complicated call although they were the ones spying.

A few days ago, former Southampton striker Charlie Austin criticised the club for the ‘Spygate’ scandal. Now, two Premier League legends have shared their opinions on Southampton’s playoffs final expulsion.

PL legends raise eyebrows at Southampton’s playoff final expulsion

Former Southampton striker Alan Shearer and former BBC colleague Gary Lineker don’t feel a playoff final expulsion is the correct punishment for Southampton. Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker insisted: “I have to say. I’m not sure the crime warrants this punishment. A giant fine would have probably sufficed.”

Well, Lineker has got a point. A multi million pound fine would have set the precedent for Championship clubs to think twice before spying or gaining any unfair advantage over their opponents. And perhaps, just perhaps, discouraged Southampton and the entire coaching staff from resorting to any spying activity down the line.

Alan Shearer joined Lineker with the same sentiment. He said: “I’m with you. I was expecting a huge fine rather than full expulsion.”

Ever since Shea Charles 2-1 stunner decided the semi-final second leg, every Southampton faithful had taken a fine and a modest points deduction for granted. As fate had it, EFL brutally dashed the club’s playoff final dreams instead.

Not to say it’s 100% unfair for Southampton but nobody can deny that EFL could have dealt with the situation a bit better.

EFL should have postponed Southampton vs Middlesbrough semi-final 1st leg

The ‘Spygate’ scandal broke out just the night before the first leg playoff semifinal between Southampton and Middlesbrough. Agreed, the EFL couldn’t have predicted it coming but they had almost a day to indefinitely postpone the first leg until further notice.

They could have taken a full week to draw out conclusions on the matter and, accordingly, hand Southampton a fine and a 3-0 forfeit for the first leg. That would then leave Tonda Eckert’s men with a massive comeback task to pull in the second leg at St. Mary’s. However, Southampton wouldn’t have felt wronged or punished severely.

Ultimately, the Saints hierarchy is frustrated at the direct playoff final expulsion. A 3-0 forfeit would atleast give some room to compete fairly with Middlesbrough and settle the tie on the pitch if they can. Then, if Southampton edged out Middlesbrough it would be fair and if Boro progressed, it would equally be fair.

Same way, Saints boss Tonda Eckert and the current boardroom staff should have accepted responsibility a bit earlier. That wouldn’t have strained the relationship with Southampton fans so much as it is now and not put the club in a bad light in front of English football.

Rest, let’s see whether the EFL changes their mind again and reinstates Southampton in the playoff final. It’s unlikely, but the way the ‘Spygate’ scandal has unfolded, you never know.