Southampton have been thrown out of the play-offs after admitting they spied on three clubs during the Championship season.
Middlesbrough, beaten by Southampton in the semi-final, have been reinstated and will now play Hull City for a place in the Premier League.
The EFL charged Saints with watching training sessions involving Oxford United and Ipswich Town, in addition to filming Middlesbrough as they prepared for the first leg of their play-off semi-final on 7 May.
The independent disciplinary commission also handed Southampton a four-point deduction in the Championship for next season.
Saints will now miss out on a game dubbed the richest in world football, with the winners of the play-off final guaranteed a minimum £110m in Premier League broadcast revenue.
The final will remain on Saturday at Wembley with the kick-off time to be confirmed.
Southampton admitted to “multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training”, the EFL said.
The club have also received a reprimand in respect of all the charges.
Sources have confirmed to BBC Sport that Southampton will lodge an appeal on Wednesday and will argue the punishment is disproportionate.
Source: BBC
