Oli McBurnie’s stoppage-time goal gave Hull City a dramatic victory in the Championship play-off final over reinstated Middlesbrough and took the Tigers back to the Premier League. Boro were given a place in the final after Southampton, who beat them over two legs in the semi-final, were expelled on Tuesday for the Spygate scandal.
Read more
Southampton have been thrown out of the play-offs after admitting they spied on three clubs in 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.
Read more
Frank Lampard’s Coventry City side are back in the Premier League after an absence of 25 years thanks to a Bobby Thomas header six minutes from time that will be remembered in the East Midlands with as much joy as the one scored by Keith Houchen in the 1987 FA Cup final. The equaliser wiped out the lead deservedly secured for Blackburn Rovers by Ryoya Morishita nine minutes into the second half.
Read more
A football club’s claim for compensation following the death of player Emiliano Sala in a plane crash has been rejected by a French court. The tribunal ordered Cardiff City to pay €480,000 to Nantes. The Welsh club had previously sought damages of more than £100 million (€115m) from the French side in a negligence claim, covering the Argentinian striker’s £15m (€17m) transfer fee and losses of potential earnings.
Read more
The Championship play-offs will feature six teams from next season. The EFL announced its clubs had passed a proposal to increase the number of play-off participants from four to six at an all-club meeting on Thursday. Supporters of the change believe it will create more interest in the run-in to the Championship season, as it gives more teams a chance to qualify for the post-season and a shot at promotion to the Premier League.
Read more