Oxford united FC
EFL in new Southampton update amid Oxford United spying
It was confirmed yesterday evening (Wednesday, May 20) that Middlesbrough will play Hull in Saturday’s Championship play-off final after Southampton lost their appeal against their expulsion for ‘spygate’.
An independent commission imposed the penalty on Tuesday (May 19) – and docked the Hampshire club four points for next season – after the Saints admitted three spying charges, including observing a Boro session ahead of the semi-final first leg.
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The commission also reinstated Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 after extra-time at St Mary’s having drawn 0-0 at the Riverside Stadium, denying Southampton the chance of a shot at promotion to the Premier League worth an estimated £200 million at a minimum.
Saints chief executive Phil Parsons called it “manifestly disproportionate” to any other sanction handed down in the history of the English game.
An EFL statement read: “The determination means that the original sanction of expulsion from the Sky Bet Championship play-offs remains in place, as does the four-point deduction to be applied to the 2026-27 Championship table and the reprimand in respect of all charges.
“The club submitted its appeal following yesterday’s decision of the independent disciplinary commission in respect of breaches of EFL regulations.
“As per EFL regulations, the decision of the league arbitration panel is final and cannot be appealed.”
As well as spying before the play-off match, Southampton have also admitted to spying on a training session at Oxford United in December and one at Ipswich in April.
The U’s are yet to release a statement on the affair but The Athletic has reported that the south coast club looked to spy on Oxford at their training centre on Christmas Eve.
This was before the clubs’ meeting at the Kassam Stadium on December 26 and came after head coach Gary Rowett had been sacked on December 23.
Craig Short led that game and others before Matt Bloomfield eventually took over early in 2026.
A spokesperson for Southampton said: “While we fully acknowledge the seriousness of this matter and the scrutiny that has followed, 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.”
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All three incidents occurred after the appointment of Tonda Eckert as Head Coach who may face action from the Football Association, according to reports.
In addition it has been confirmed that Southampton are now under investigation by the Football Association in relation to the scandal.
Middlesbrough had called for Southampton to be thrown out of the play-offs prior to Tuesday’s commission hearing and welcomed the news they had been expelled.
The club said the sanction “sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct”.
Oxford United travel to Leyton Orient for the first round of the Carabao Cup and Aaron Ramsey’s first competitive match in charge.
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The Yellows conceded a late duo of goals scored by Demetri Mitchell and Idris El Mizouni to bow out of the competition against their League One opponents.
It was a well-contested match at Brisbane Road until late on, the two strikes providing a disappointing end to former Arsenal midfielder Ramsey’s first taste of competitive management with the U’s.
United began brightly, Aidomo Emakhu immediately working space in the box to cross but could only find Nathan Baxter’s grasp.
The winger got beyond his man soon after and put another ball in looking for Siriki Dembele who was beaten to it by former Yellows loanee Fin Stevens.
Dembele was bright in the first period, winning a free kick which Cameron Brannagan sent just over the crossbar.
Ciaron Brown headed at corner at the keeper before the hosts found some momentum.
🚨 Aaron Ramsey on Brian De Keersmaecker extended absence from the Oxford United squad:
🗣️ “Him and Stan were training back home and hopefully they can both join the group.
“They are two different cases where Brian hasn’t played any minutes. Stan has.
“Hopefully now next week…
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) August 8, 2026
Efforts from Isaac Hayden and Yusuf Akhamrich failed to bother Jamie Cumming, but a good cross from Somto Boniface was turned just wide by the arriving Zech Obiero.
Oxford were forced to be patient as the O’s restricted their passing lanes, eventually seeing a shot from Dembele fly over from outside the box.
A blocked effort from Boniface saw out a tightly contested first half.
Again, the U’s started brightly, Dembele and Brannagan combining well but Harris could not turn the captain’s cross goalward.
Boniface and El Mizouni fired off target for the O’s before Emakhu saw a powerful shot saved by Baxter.
READ MORE: Oxford United player ratings in Leyton Orient cup defeat
READ MORE: Leyton Orient 2-0 Oxford United – Carabao Cup recap
Some space opened up on the front foot for Oxford through Emakhu and Harris, but both opted for the wrong options with the former failing to pick out the latter before the Welshman decided not to shoot in a good area.
The hosts, with the home advantage, began to fashion some late pressure.
The opener came with five minutes left on the clock, Mitchell improvising well to turn the ball in from a good cross.
A quickfire second saw the O’s secure the win, El Mizouni sliding the ball past Cumming from a low cross into the area.
Aaron Ramsey says Stan Mills has trained on his own the last few days:
🗣️ “It was a medical decision for him to train over the last few days on his own to be able to re-join the group next week”#oufc 🟡
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) August 8, 2026
The last-minute strikes saw Oxford bow out of the cup in the first round, with the League One opening day at home to MK Dons on the horizon.
Orient: Baxter, Stevens, Olowu, El Mizouni, Hayden, Dobra (Mitchell 70), Boniface (Morris 77), Akhamrich (Springett 70), Obiero (Wellens 83), Chinedu, Archibald (Kabia 70)
Oxford: Cumming, Spencer (Kioso 86), Long, Brown, Currie, McDonnell (Sibley 73), Brannagan, Emakhu, Goodrham (Elliott-Wheeler 73), Dembele (O’Donkor 62), Harris (Snowden 86)
Bookings: Stevens; Emakhu
After defeat in Aaron Ramsey’s first competitive fixture, here is how we rated the Yellows team…
Jamie Cumming – 5
Distributed the ball decently well despite appearing visibly frustrated at his lack of options in the first half.
Disappointed late on as he was rooted to the spot for the opening goal and unable to reach the second, his positioning not quite on point.
Brodie Spencer – 5.5
Did not see many of his trademark tackles and was caught out of position on occasion.
Tried to be positive with his passing forward as Orient pressed well.
Sam Long – 5.5
Long and Brown were solid enough until the end when the O’s movement caught them and the defence out.
Saw a preview of that movement in the first half which had the potential to cause problems, and did.
Ciaron Brown – 5.5
One or two decent blocks in there but failed to stop the cross for the second goal.
Jack Currie – 6
Took up some good positions early on and provided an outlet on the left with Dembele.
Possibly missed his connection with Emakhu which was fruitful against Ipswich.
Jamie McDonnell – 6
Thought he looked good for the most part.
McDonnell’s passing was sure and accurate and he had his usual energy. He was withdrawn before the late goals.
Cameron Brannagan – 6
Got about the pitch well but maybe could have done more to get back for the two goals.
Still, made some good contributions at both ends with one memorable tackle in the box and some good play with Dembele in the opposing one.
READ MORE: Leyton Orient 2-0 Oxford United – Carabao Cup recap
READ MORE: Oxford United lose to Leyton Orient in Aaron Ramsey competitive debut
Aidomo Emakhu – 5.5
Started brightly but gave away some reckless fouls and was booked.
A couple of efforts were blocked but on the right he does not have as much space to shoot clearly.
Tyler Goodrham – 6
Picked up some good positions and turned on the ball well at times, but the Orient man-to-man marking kept him more and more quiet as the game went on.
🚨 Aaron Ramsey on Brian De Keersmaecker extended absence from the Oxford United squad:
🗣️ “Him and Stan were training back home and hopefully they can both join the group.
“They are two different cases where Brian hasn’t played any minutes. Stan has.
“Hopefully now next week…
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) August 8, 2026
Siriki Dembele – 6.5
Exciting footwork as usual and did well to win fouls.
Shuffled into space centrally and had a bit of a spark on the ball.
Mark Harris – 6
Battled well and took up better positions as the game went on.
Pressed hard but decision-making left a bit to be desired.
Aaron Ramsey says Stan Mills has trained on his own the last few days:
🗣️ “It was a medical decision for him to train over the last few days on his own to be able to re-join the group next week”#oufc 🟡
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) August 8, 2026
Substitutes:
Gatlin O’Donkor – 6
Tried to hold the ball up and link play and had one or two nice flicks.
Did not manage to trouble the goal.
Louie Sibley – 5
Aidan Elliott-Wheeler – 5
The youngster struggling off the bench, opting to come inside from a good chance in the box and losing it and could not quite make anything stick.
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