Southampton FC has been expelled from the Championship play-offs after admitting to spying on three rivals' training sessions, including Middlesbrough before the semi-final first leg. The EFL independent disciplinary commission on Tuesday evening reinstated Middlesbrough, who had lost 2-1 to the Saints on aggregate in the semi-finals. Southampton's expulsion means that Hull City will now face Middlesbrough in the play-off final on Saturday. The decision is final and there is no further right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Southampton issued a statement calling the ruling 'an extremely disappointing outcome'. The club has consistently believed the original sporting sanction was disproportionate, a view that has been widely shared by many in the football community over the last 24 hours. Southampton midfielder Leo Scienza said his side's expulsion was 'heartbreaking' and expressed sympathy for everyone involved, including Hull and Middlesbrough. He posted on Instagram, 'Disappointment, anger, sadness. It's difficult to find the right words for what we're all feeling right now. What has happened over the last days is heartbreaking. For the club, for every player in this dressing room, and above all for our supporters. A moment like this should never end the way it did. I feel sorry for every football fan, as well as the players and supporters of Hull and Boro, who were caught up in all of this chaos too. We gave everything for this dream. Day after day, sacrifice after sacrifice, always believing we could bring this club back to where it belongs. For me, the dream of playing in the Premier League was something I fought for with everything I had. That's why this pain cuts so deep.' Earlier on Wednesday, Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons said the club could not 'accept a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence'. Parsons pointed to a £200,000 fine issued to Leeds United in 2019 for spying on Derby as evidence of precedent. However, when Leeds were punished seven years ago, regulation 127 - which expressly forbids observing an opponent within 72 hours of a game - did not exist. It was introduced as a result of Leeds' wrongdoing. Hull, meanwhile, are unhappy they will have to face different opponents at short notice, with owner Acun Ilicali suggesting the club could take legal action.