Hull City could go straight to the Premier League! Surprise move...

Hull City are exploring legal options to see if they can be promoted directly to the Premier League following Southampton's expulsion from the Championship play-offs. The Orange and Blacks, owned by Turkish businessman Acun Ilıcalı, are not happy about facing Middlesbrough at Wembley after spending the last week preparing for Southampton. According to reports in the British press, Hull City are keeping all legal avenues open, including taking action after the final if necessary.

SOUTHAMPTON TO APPEAL

English Championship side Southampton have appealed the decision to exclude them from the play-off final against Hull City for spying on the opposition team's training sessions.

"We have appealed yesterday's decision by the Independent Disciplinary Commission to expel Southampton Club from the Championship play-offs and impose a 4-point deduction for the 2026-27 season," Chief Executive Phil Parsons said in a statement.

PENALTY DISPROPORTIONATE

Stating that they fully cooperated with the investigation and disciplinary process, Parsons said, "We accept that a punishment must be imposed. What we cannot accept is a fine that is not proportionate to the offense. While Leeds United were fined £200,000 for a similar infringement, Southampton have been denied the opportunity to compete in a game worth more than £200 million and which means so much to our staff, players and supporters."

FINAL MATCH ON MAY 23

In the statement made by the league administration regarding the match time, it was noted that the final match planned to be played between Hull City and Middlesbrough will start at 15.30 on Saturday, May 23.

If the final is played between Hull City and Southampton at the end of the appeal process, the kick-off time will be 16.30.