BREAKING: Middlesbrough demand Southampton are kicked OUT of play-offs in new SpyGate statement

Middlesbrough have said they "regret" that the EFL will not let the club be part of any legal proceedings against Southampton given they are "directly affected by the matters" - and hope to see them kicked out of the play-off final. The Teesside club were beaten by the Saints in the play-off semi-final following the Spygate saga, but maintain hope that the authorities will issue a "sporting sanction" - which could see Middlesbrough go through to the final at Southampton's expense. The Saints were charged by the EFL before the first-leg at the Riverside Stadium as a staff member was caught watching their opponents train. The first game finished goalless before Southampton claimed a 2-1 victory on their own patch. That earned them the right to face Hull at Wembley later this month, but the EFL are investigating with the matter from the closed as Middlesbrough ramp up the pressure to "to protect the integrity of the game". They said in a statement: "Middlesbrough FC notes the decision of the Disciplinary Commission not to permit the club to intervene in the proceedings brought by the EFL against Southampton FC. "The club regrets that outcome, given we are directly affected by the matters under consideration and hold relevant factual evidence as to the events in question and their competitive impact. "The conduct at issue, namely the observation and recording of our training session ahead of a fixture of such significance, goes to the heart of sporting integrity and fair competition. In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final. "We remain hopeful that the EFL, as regulator, will pursue such a sanction before the Disciplinary Commission in order to protect the integrity of the game, safeguard all member clubs, and deter any attempt in the future to obtain an unfair and unlawful advantage in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League . The club reserves all its legal rights." Boro boss Kim Hellberg cut an emotional figure after the loss earlier in the week and said: "It breaks my heart in terms of all those things I believe in. That's the thing. I don't care if there are other rules in different countries. This is England where football is the biggest thing. That's my feelings about it. I think it's disgraceful. It makes me very sad." Southampton have remained coy and boss Tonda Eckert walked out of a press conference at the weekend as he fielded questions on the scandal - and then repeated the trick in the aftermath of the Saints' win on Tuesday when he was asked if he was a cheat. There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story. Follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , X , Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.