Spying charges against Southampton may not be heard until Tuesday, placing a question mark over the scheduling of next week’s Championship play-off final.
The club were charged last week by the EFL with spying on a training session held by semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.
The league asked for an independent commission to examine the case “at the earliest opportunity”.
And now, the EFL has issued a statement on Thursday afternoon to say the hearing would take place “on or before Tuesday, May 19”.
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EFL say play-off final will go ahead as planned
Given the high stakes involved, an appeal from one or more parties in the case seems almost certain, putting a question mark over whether the appeal could be heard before the date scheduled for the final, May 23, if the initial hearing does not happen until Tuesday.
However, the EFL said it “continues to plan on the basis that the Championship play-off final will take place as scheduled”.
The EFL said the match was scheduled to kick off at 4.30pm.
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
Contingency plans
The league which was at pains to point out that it did not have control of the timetable due to the independent nature of the hearing, said the exact date for the hearing “remains under discussion” and is expected to be confirmed shortly.
While the EFL continues to plan for May 23, it admitted: “Supporters should, however, be aware that the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture.”
The league added that it has “a number of contingency plans should they be required”.
The EFL said Hull City and Southampton will share further information on their respective sales processes later on Thursday.
READ MORE: Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough (Agg 2-1): Saints’ fortune confirms second Wembley visit
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