Today’s final: Hull City are scheduled to take on Middlesbrough in the highly anticipated Championship play-off final at Wembley. Initially, Southampton had qualified for the match, but the Spygate scandal saw Southampton swapped out.
Why it was changed: The final’s kick-off time was shifted from 3pm to 3.30pm on Saturday, May 23. This scheduling change came after the EFL dramatically expelled Southampton from the final and reinstated Middlesbrough, disrupting logistical arrangements for the clubs and fans.
The Spygate scandal: Southampton’s shock disqualification stemmed from the Spygate controversy. The Saints admitted to secretly filming Middlesbrough’s training session before their semi-final first leg. Consequently, the EFL kicked Southampton out of the playoffs and handed them a four-point deduction for next season.
The failed appeal: While Boro replaced the disgraced Saints, the situation remains highly volatile because Hull will be angry if they lose whereas Millwall and Wrexham could still take legal action. Southampton launched an emergency appeal against their expulsion which was rejected.
How to watch: Fans can watch this high-stakes showdown live on Sky Sports Football. Non-Sky Sports subscribers can watch every game by purchasing a NOW Sports Membership accessed through the NOW app on all compatible TV, Mobile, Tablet, Computer, Console and Streaming devices.
The reward: Deemed the richest game in football, worth around £200million, coveted promotion to the Premier League is on the line. The victorious side will secure a massive financial windfall and the final top-flight ticket alongside Coventry and Ipswich.