EFL reveal 'Spygate' hearing timescale

The independent hearing to determine Southampton's Championship play-off final fate will take place on or before Tuesday May 19.

It is possible that Southampton could be thrown out of the Championship play-offs and denied the chance of promotion to the Premier League, if an independent commission upholds the charge that they spied on a Middlesbrough training session in the build-up to their play-off semi-final.

Emotional Boro boss Hellberg hits out at 'disgraceful spying'

Report & highlights: Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough - Agg 2-1 (AET)

Got Sky? Watch the EFL play-offs on the Sky Sports app

Not got Sky? Stream the EFL play-offs with no contract

Southampton were charged with breaching EFL regulations after Middlesbrough's complaint that a member of Southampton's staff spied on one of their training sessions.

Sky Sports News has since obtained a photo that shows a man outside Middlesbrough's training ground with a camera.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

That independent commission will now meet four days before the Championship play-off final at the very latest to determine what will happen to the Saints - who are set to meet Hull City at Wembley on Saturday May 23, with the kick-off now confirmed at 4.30pm.

The exact date and time of the independent hearing is yet to be determined.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The EFL has confirmed that contingency plans for a change to the final proceedings are in place "should they be required" - which includes an appeal process.

Stream the Championship play-off final on Sky with NOW

In a statement, the EFL said:" As the proceedings are being conducted by an Independent Disciplinary Commission, the EFL does not control the proposed timetable.

"Notwithstanding this, the EFL continues to plan on the basis that the Championship play-off final will take place as scheduled on Saturday May 23, with the kick-off time confirmed as 4.30pm.

"Supporters should, however, be aware that the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture. The EFL has a number of contingency plans should they be required, which also includes consideration of any appeal process, if required."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The statement added that current finalists Hull and Southampton will share ticket sales processes later today, with supporters advised to pay close attention to the terms and conditions when buying those tickets.

Speaking about the decision to continue as normal with ticket sales, the EFL statement continued: "This decision follows ongoing coordination with the clubs to ensure that on-sale arrangements can be implemented as soon as practicable.

"The league recognises that this complex situation has caused concern and disruption for supporters, particularly those making travel arrangements, and will continue to provide as much clarity as possible.

"However, in these clearly exceptional circumstances, the league considers this to be the most appropriate course of action."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Middlesbrough players came back to the club's training ground on Thursday for a scheduled de-brief and recovery session.

This was always the plan after the play-offs, and they were set to go off on holiday on Friday if they were eliminated by Southampton.