The Championship final may be postponed. What's the reason?
Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
Hull City have begun preparations for a possible delay to the Championship play-off final for promotion to the Premier League, as a scandal brews around their potential opponent—Southampton.
Details: According to TeamTalk, an independent commission is currently reviewing evidence that Saints trainee Will Salt secretly filmed a closed Middlesbrough training session ahead of their semi-final clash. If the club is found guilty, the commission could impose severe sporting sanctions, up to and including expulsion from the decisive Wembley showdown.
Tensions are rising as Middlesbrough have already recalled their players from vacation, with the squad resuming training today in anticipation of a possible reinstatement to the competition. Club owner Steve Gibson has enlisted top sports lawyer Nick De Marco to coordinate further legal action. Meanwhile, Southampton still hasn't opened ticket sales for the final, further underscoring the seriousness of the looming threat of disqualification.
Legal proceedings could paralyze the tournament schedule, as any commission decision will likely be challenged in court by one side or the other. This puts the final, scheduled for Saturday, May 23, at risk. Hull’s management, having reached the final after defeating Millwall, are now forced to draw up contingency plans in case the season’s biggest match is rescheduled unexpectedly.
Reminder: Ed Sheeran celebrated Ipswich’s Premier League return with a pint of beer.
