New documents reveal Southampton's head coach, Tonda Eckert, initiated a practice of spying on rival teams. An intern was tasked with recording training sessions, with assurances that the "manager loved it." The club was expelled from playoffs after spying on Oxford United, Ipswich, and Middlesbrough.
Southampton have been expelled from the Championship playoffs for spying on rivals, with Middlesbrough reinstated to face Hull in the final. Southampton also face a four-point deduction next season and have appealed.
Oxford United have been relegated to League One after Charlton Athletic's 2-1 win against Hull City mathematically confirmed their drop. Matt Bloomfield's side needed to win their two remaining matches and hope Charlton lost both while reducing goal difference, but Nathan Jones' Addicks moved out of reach. The relegation ends Oxford's two-year spell in the Championship after winning promotion via the League One play-offs in 2024. Oxford struggled from the start, losing their first three league games and being two points adrift at Christmas, leading to Gary Rowett replacing Des Buckingham in December 2024, before Bloomfield took over in January.
Wrexham have pulled off a remarkable turnaround in the Championship play-off race, overturning a four-point deficit to overtake Hull City on goal difference with two games remaining. Manager Phil Parkinson attributes their success to a relaxed approach after back-to-back defeats, including a 5-1 loss to Southampton. The north Wales club now sit sixth ahead of the final week, with 70 points, while rivals Hull, Middlesbrough and Derby County jostle for position.
