Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg has revealed he has not slept for a week and a half, as the extraordinary ‘Spygate’ controversy continues to engulf the Championship play-offs. The saga began with Middlesbrough’s complaints that a member of Southampton’s staff had breached EFL rules by observing their training sessions ahead of the first leg of the play-off semi-final.

Southampton expelled from EFL Championship playoffs after being caught spying on opponents in a scandal now being called Spygate in English soccer.

The EFL have kicked Southampton out of the Championship playoff final after they admitted "multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorized filming of other clubs’ training" with Middlesbrough taking their place.

Southampton have provided footage of their training sessions to the English Football League’s independent disciplinary commission to try to prove they gained no material advantage from the Spygate saga that has rocked the game.

Southampton will no longer play in the EFL Championship promotion playoff final against Hull City and will be replaced by Middlesbrough.

Southampton were expelled from the Championship play-off final for spying and now a key player looks set to leave the club.

Southampton face a shocking ban from the Championship playoff final and a future points deduction after admitting to spying on multiple opponents during the season

Hull will now face Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final following Southampton’s expulsion for spying on opponents