• Boro say move is ‘only appropriate response’ to scandal

• Australian Hull fan angry over possible postponement

Middlesbrough have demanded that the English Football League expel Southampton from the Championship playoff final against Hull and are furious at being denied a chance to argue their case at an independent disciplinary hearing.

Southampton, who beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in the semi-final, are facing EFL misconduct charges after Boro said they had been the victims of training-ground spying. An independent disciplinary commission is due to hear Southampton’s explanation in person by Tuesday at the latest. There are suggestions that it could sit over the weekend.