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Southampton are awaiting the verdict in the ongoing ‘spygate’ controversy, with the possibility of facing severe punishment that could even see them removed from the Championship play-offs.

The club has been charged by the English Football League (EFL) for allegedly spying on Middlesbrough’s training session on Thursday, May 7 — just two days before the first leg of their play-off semi-final clash against Kim Hellberg’s side.

The incident came to light after an individual was reportedly seen filming Middlesbrough’s training drills at their Rockliffe Park facility. According to reports by the Daily Mail, the individual was identified as William Salt, a Southampton intern and member of manager Tonda Eckert’s coaching staff.

After a goalless draw in the first leg at the Riverside Stadium, Southampton defeated Middlesbrough 2-1 after extra-time in the return fixture at St Mary’s Stadium, securing their place in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium this Saturday, where they are scheduled to face Hull City.

Despite both clubs having already begun selling tickets last Friday, uncertainty still surrounds the fixture. An independent EFL disciplinary commission is meeting today to determine Southampton’s punishment, if any.

The commission’s findings are expected to be announced later on Tuesday or on Wednesday. Should Southampton be found guilty, possible penalties include a monetary fine, a points deduction, or — in the most extreme scenario — expulsion from the play-offs altogether.

While such a sanction might seem harsh, it would not be without precedent. In fact, a similar situation occurred in 1990 involving Swindon Town.

In that year, Swindon Town achieved their highest-ever league finish at the time, placing fourth in Division Two under the guidance of Tottenham Hotspur and Argentina legend Ossie Ardiles. The Wiltshire-based club went on to defeat Blackburn Rovers 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals before overcoming Sunderland 1-0 at Wembley, seemingly securing promotion to the top tier of English football for the first time in their history.

However, their celebrations were short-lived. Swindon had been under investigation by the Football League since January 1990 for alleged financial misconduct. The initial hearing, scheduled for May 4 — before the play-offs — was postponed due to legal complications tied to a separate tax fraud case involving chairman Brian Hillier, club accountant Vince Farrar, and former manager Lou Macari. Hillier and Farrar were later found guilty, while Macari was acquitted.

The hearing regarding Swindon’s alleged financial irregularities eventually took place on June 7, 1990 — ten days after their Wembley triumph. The club was found guilty of 35 instances of making illegal payments, leading the Football League to impose relegation to Division Three and awarding Sunderland their place in the top flight instead.

Swindon successfully appealed to remain in Division Two the following season, but they narrowly avoided relegation by just two points after losing several key players and with Ardiles leaving to take charge of Newcastle United in February 1991.

Swindon eventually reached the Premier League in the 1992/93 season under player-manager Glenn Hoddle, defeating Leicester City 4-3 in the play-off final. However, their top-flight stay was short-lived — they finished bottom of the table the following season, marking their only campaign at the highest level of English football.