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.

The independent disciplinary commission also handed Southampton a four-point deduction in the Championship for next season.

Saints will now miss out on a game dubbed the richest in world football, with the winners of the play-off final guaranteed a minimum £110m in Premier League broadcast revenue.

The final will remain on Saturday at Wembley with the kick-off time to be confirmed.

Southampton admitted to “multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training”, the EFL said.

The club have also received a reprimand in respect of all the charges.

Sources have confirmed to BBC Sport that Southampton will lodge an appeal on Wednesday and will argue that the punishment is disproportionate.

The EFL said it would be “working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May”.

It added that “subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture”.

The appeal will be heard by an Independent League Arbitration panel with three new members.

The EFL said in a statement: “Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025-26 season.

“Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated.

“Southampton admitted breaches of regulations requiring clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match.

“The admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.”

Southampton did not win any of the three games – they lost 2-1 at Oxford, drew 2-2 at home to Ipswich and claimed a 0-0 draw at Boro.

The statement continued: “The EFL is now in discussion with all three clubs regarding the implications of today’s decision and will make a further announcement in due course.”

Middlesbrough issued a statement which said they “welcome the outcome”.

“We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct,” it added.

“As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday. Ticket information for our supporters will be available shortly.”

Southampton had already sold tickets for Saturday’s game, and their supporters will receive a full refund.

They must now wait to see if the Football Association issues any charges for individuals involved in the spying. The EFL can only apply sanctions against its member clubs.

After a spying case at the 2024 Olympic Games, three members of Canada’s staff, including the head coach, were banned from all football by Fifa for a year.

There is a different feeling around Connacht heading into the 2026/27 season.

For years, supporters have spoken about potential, exciting rugby, dangerous attacking backs, and brave away performances. However, last season showed something more important — resilience. Connacht clawed their way into the URC playoffs with 54 points despite injuries, inconsistency, and periods where qualification looked almost impossible.

Now the challenge changes completely.

This season is no longer about surviving. It is about pushing on.

With Stuart Lancaster now fully embedded, an improved squad, major depth in the pack, and a fixture list that gives Connacht opportunities to build momentum early, expectations in Galway should absolutely rise beyond merely finishing eighth.

The Road To 55 Points

Last season’s URC table showed just how ruthless the league has become. Munster finished on 55 points, Cardiff finished on 55, the Lions finished on 54, Connacht finished on 54, and Ulster missed out on 52.

One win can completely transform a season.

For Connacht, the first target has to be 55+ points. That should be enough to put them firmly in the playoff conversation again.

Realistically, 58 to 60 points would mean a comfortable playoff place, while 62 or more could put Connacht in the battle for a home quarter-final.

Connacht’s 2026/27 Home Fixtures

• Saturday, 5 September — Connacht v Ealing — Pre-season
• Friday, 25 September — Connacht v DHL Stormers
• Friday, 23 October — Connacht v Zebre Parma
• Friday, 30 October — Connacht v Leinster Rugby
• Saturday, 19 December — Connacht v Edinburgh Rugby
• Saturday, 2 January — Connacht v Munster Rugby
• Saturday, 30 January — Connacht v Ulster Rugby
• Friday, 19 March — Connacht v Cardiff Rugby
• Saturday, 27 March — Connacht v Lions
• Saturday, 24 April — Connacht v Dragons RFC

Looking at those fixtures honestly, Connacht should expect to beat Zebre, Dragons, Cardiff, and Edinburgh at home. Anything less than four wins from that group would hurt badly.

Then the key becomes stealing results against Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Stormers, and the Lions. If Connacht can win even three of those five bigger home games, suddenly they are pushing well beyond the playoff line.

How Many Wins By Christmas?

The opening half of the season looks massive.

• Stormers — home
• Benetton — away
• Glasgow Warriors — away
• Zebre Parma — home
• Leinster Rugby — home
• Scarlets — away
• Edinburgh Rugby — home
• Ulster Rugby — away

Connacht should be targeting at least five wins before Christmas, with around 24 to 27 points on the board.

If they manage six wins before Christmas, expectations in Galway will explode.

The Interpros Could Define Everything

Leinster

• Friday, 30 October — Connacht v Leinster
• Saturday, 17 April — Leinster v Connacht

Ulster

• Sunday, 27 December — Ulster v Connacht
• Saturday, 30 January — Connacht v Ulster

Munster

• Saturday, 2 January — Connacht v Munster
• Saturday, 23 January — Munster v Connacht

That January block is brutal. Connacht effectively play Ulster away, Munster home, Munster away, and Ulster home inside five weeks.

Those four games could decide whether Connacht finish fifth or ninth.

Europe Matters Again

• Round 1: 16–18 October
• Round 2: 11–13 December
• Round of 16: 2–4 April
• Quarter Finals: 9–11 April
• Semi Finals: 30 April–2 May
• EPCR Final: 28–30 May

The major difference this year is Connacht finally look capable of rotating properly without the team collapsing. That matters hugely during European windows.

Predicted Strongest Connacht XV

1. Billy Bohan
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Darragh Murray
5. Josh Murphy
6. Cian Prendergast
7. Seamus Hurley-Langton
8. Sean Jansen
9. Ben Murphy
10. Ciaran Frawley
11. Shayne Bolton
12. Cathal Forde
13. Byron Ralston
14. Shane Jennings
15. Sam Gilbert

Key Squad Options

• Sam Illo
• Paul Boyle
• Bundee Aki
• Harry West
• Josh Ioane
• Will Connors
• Dave Heffernan
• Niall Murray
• Sean Naughton
• Colm Reilly
• Mack Hansen
• Jerry Cahir
• Finn Tracey
• François VAN WYK
• Hugh Gavin
• Caolin Blade

The return of Mack Hansen alone changes the ceiling of the entire side. If fully fit, he remains one of the most dangerous attacking players in the URC.

Will Connors could also become one of the smartest signings Connacht have made in years. If injuries stay away, his breakdown work could completely transform close games.

Final Prediction

Connacht fans should stop thinking like underdogs.

This squad is too talented and too experienced to merely sneak into eighth place again.

• Predicted URC finish: 5th–7th
• Predicted points: 58–61
• Target: Champions Cup qualification
• Minimum expectation: URC quarter-final appearance

The biggest difference this year is depth.

Connacht finally look capable of surviving injuries, competing during European weekends, and handling the brutal interpro blocks without collapsing physically.

If Lancaster gets consistency from this squad, and Dexcom Stadium becomes a genuine fortress again, Connacht could become one of the most dangerous teams in the URC by spring 2027.

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For All Mankind season 5 reaches a major turning point in episode 8, titled Brave New World, as the conflict between Earth and Mars escalates into direct violence. The episode closes with Sergeant Ruiz dying on a recon trip after an explosion blows a hole in his suit. The incident alters the political scene in Happy Valley and intensifies the tensions between the Sons and Daughters of Mars movement and the Earth government.

With only two episodes left in For All Mankind season 5, the ending poses some fresh concerns regarding what happens next to Avery, Dev Ayesa’s involvement in the crisis, and whether the Mars colony can prevent a broader war.

Did Sergeant Ruiz die in For All Mankind season 5 episode 8?

Yes, Sergeant Ruiz dies during the final act of For All Mankind season 5 episode 8. The explosion comes as Ruiz and Avery are investigating suspicious activities tied to the uprising on Mars. While on the assignment, they find bombs secreted near the colony’s functioning areas. Debris flies across the area in a rapid blow before they can react adequately.

A piece of metal hits his helmet and goes through his suit, doing Ruiz lethal damage. Avery makes it through the blast, but Ruiz is killed before she can bring him to safety. It becomes one of the most significant incidents in For All Mankind season 5 as it is the first major military casualty directly related to the revolt on Mars.

The episode also utilises Ruiz’s death to further Avery’s story. Earlier in season 5, Avery had been coping with trauma involving her father, as well as her own concerns about working in perilous Martian conditions. And Ruiz is a mentor and a stabiliser during such periods. His death sent Avery back into a world of loss and isolation.

The finale deliberately withholds emotional closure from Avery. For All Mankind season 5 instead leaves her reaction a mystery as the colony becomes more and more unstable. That uncertainty is emblematic of the season’s larger tendency, where personal tragedies increasingly shape political decisions.

Why does the explosion change the Mars rebellion?

The explosion shifts the perception of the Sons and Daughters of Mars movement. Previous episodes show the group as a resistance movement against Earth’s growing control over Martian resources and infrastructure. Many Mars colonists want more autonomy instead of being reliant on governments and corporations on Earth.

The death of Ruiz changes the way the Earth authorities respond to the uprising. When the explosion happens, officials will be more inclined to view the occurrence as terrorism rather than a political protest. This development can result in more military engagement and tighter security measures in future episodes of season 5.

This episode also demonstrates how the disagreement escalates through sabotage and retribution. Some members of the movement do not appear to be in favour of civilian or military casualties. But the use of explosives generates conditions that lead to deaths and injuries.

At the same time, what Dev Ayesa has done before is also adding to the instability on Mars. His clumsy attempt to blow up the crop domes makes shortages worse and escalates tensions in Happy Valley. By episode 8 there is food scarcity in the colony, animosity among factions, and less teamwork among leadership groups.

The episode title, Brave New World, is indicative of Mars’ changing situation. In past seasons, colonies represented growth and scientific development, but this season is about political split, lack of resources and infighting between rival parties.

How Ruiz’s death affects AJ, Avery, and Mars politics

For All Mankind season 5 episode 8 finale has tremendous impact on several storylines. AJ Stevens continues to struggle with emotional pressure as Mars’ conditions worsen. And it’s unclear if her collapse is because of family trauma or the conditions in Happy Valley.

Avery’s job alters following Ruiz’s death, too. She does survive the explosion, but Ruiz’s death on the expedition could impact her perspective on the rebellion and Mars leadership moving forward.

Meanwhile, Miles, Irina and Lenya debate whether Mars should reject Earth’s rule in the face of rising hazards. Ruiz’s death bolsters Earth’s case for more aggressive military action against the rebellion.

Another story that continues to play out is the story of Kelly Baldwin and the Titan expedition. Mars is a place of political unrest and violence, but Kelly’s concentration is on scientific research further out in the solar system.

Viewers can stream For All Mankind season 5 on Apple TV+, with new episodes releasing weekly on Fridays.