Soccer-Southampton appeal dismisses, will not play Championship playoff final

Southampton ​will ​not play ‌the Championship ​playoff final after their ‌appeal against expulsion on spying charges and a four-point ‌deduction for next season ‌was rejected, the English Football League (EFL) announced on Wednesday.

Southampton ⁠were ​thrown ⁠out of the final on ⁠Tuesday after being found ​guilty of spying on semi-final ⁠opponents Middlesbrough, who will ⁠now ​face Hull City in Saturday's contest for ⁠a shot at promotion to ⁠the ⁠Premier League.