Newcastle United & Sunderland rivals handed Premier League promotion bombshell as official statement released
Newcastle United and Sunderland may not be the only north east derby in the Premier League next season after all.
Middlesbrough have been handed fresh Premier League promotion hope after Southampton were expelled from the Championship play-offs.
Boro lost to Southampton in the play-off semi-final over two legs earlier this month. The tie was marred in controversy after the Teessiders caught a Southampton staff member filming a training session at Rockliffe ahead of the first leg.
While the tie was completed and the Saints thought they’d progressed through to the final, an Independent Disciplinary Commission has found the club guilty of multiple breaches of EFL Regulations and expelled them from competing in the final against Hull City.
Southampton have also been handed a four-point deduction that will be applied at the start of next season.
Middlesbrough will now take Southampton’s place and compete against Hull at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
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EFL statement
An EFL statement read: “An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.
“In addition, the Club has received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table, alongside a reprimand in respect of all the charges.
“The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 Play-Offs and will proceed to the Play-Off Final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.”
A boost for NUFC loanee
While Boro’s season was officially over last week, they continued to train in anticipation of this very event.
Newcastle defender Matt Targett remained at his loan club to train and will now take part in the play-off final this weekend.
The 30-year-old left-back is facing an uncertain future with his contract at Newcastle set to expire next month. He will not be handed a new deal and will be free to join a new club as a free agent this summer.
Assessing his future, Targett said: “The future? I’m not sure to be honest. I believe I’m done at Newcastle so that chapter is closed.