The U’s will compete in the third tier of English football next season after suffering relegation from the Championship this term, finishing 22nd in the league and four points from safety.

With their relegation, the club will naturally take a financial hit which, with a new stadium and upgrades to the academy in the pipeline, will be a challenge for the U’s to navigate.

Last week, the EFL confirmed changes to the Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) rules in League One and League Two.

In a statement, the EFL stated: “League One Clubs approved changes to the existing Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) rules, with the aim of reducing losses and the reliance on owner funding in the division.

“The long-standing SCMP rules limit spending on player wages to a percentage of a club’s turnover.”

Oxford United’s Cameron Brannagan celebrates scoring (Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)

The changes mean that clubs in League One will now only be able to spend 50 per cent of their turnover on wages, compared to the 60 per cent previously permitted.

However, the rules differ for clubs relegated from the Championship who will be able to 65 per cent of turnover on wages, compared a previous 75 per cent.

In addition to these rules, the EFL also confirmed further updates: “League One clubs also approved a change to remove the staggered approach to equity injections in the division, meaning that all equity injections will be included within the calculation at 50%.

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“As an example, this means that if an owner invests £500k into the club, a maximum of £250k (in addition to that already permitted as a percentage of turnover) can be spent on wages.

“This approach is intended to encourage investment into other areas of club operations, such as infrastructure and youth development.”

Oxford United manager Matt Bloomfield reacts following the Sky Bet Championship match at the bet365 Stadium, Stoke (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Speaking on BBC Radio Oxford’s podcast The Dub, EFL pundit and Oxford United fan, George Elek, reviewed the changes.

“It transpires that this has been in the works for quite a long time and that this won’t be a shock to anybody at the club,” Elek said.

“I’m sure that early budgetary conversations had factored this in. This wasn’t one of those things that suddenly came out of nowhere to impact everything.

“It might mean that trying to get back up this season is going to be easier than what comes after, but it gives us time to, I guess, cost effectively if we need to, plan for next summer rather than having to immediately bring the wage bill down to that degree.

“I’d say no cause for alarm and a silver lining in there that we get special dispensation after relegation.”

Saints were kicked out of the Championship play-off final and deducted four points for next season after it was found that they had spied on Middlesbrough prior to their 1-0 semi-final aggregate win over Boro.

They have also been found guilty of spying on Oxford in December and Ipswich in April.

The U’s beat the St Mary’s side despite the visitors having now been found to have breached EFL rules, Craig Short’s U’s winning 2-1 at the Kassam three days after former head coach Gary Rowett had been sacked.

A fan dresses up in camouflage when Saints faced Middlesbrough (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Saints had appealed their punishment but the decision was upheld and it has since been revealed that Tonda Eckert had ‘specifically authorised observations to obtain information about formation’ regarding Oxford’s tactical setup.

The Yellows have since been relegated from the second tier after finishing 22nd in the league and four points from safety, whilst other victims Ipswich won automatic promotion by finishing second in the table.

Meanwhile, Boro will replace Eckert’s side in Saturday’s play-off final at Wembley and face Hull City in the battle for Premier League promotion.

Fans of all three victim clubs have felt hard done by, as well as the rest of the Championship, as it has been found that Southampton acted in an unsportsmanlike fashion.

Supporters have taken to social media throughout the week to voice their opinions on the debacle.

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Southampton fans set off flares ahead of the Sky Bet Championship play off semi-final at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

One user on X said: “EFL applied too much latitude reducing points deduction tariff. I’d hope if either side had been in Champ next season Southampton would have had bigger negative points start to give both ‘victim’ sides a bigger head start. [By the way], seriously can’t imagine it’s only 3 sides…”

No. But EFL applied too much latitude reducing points deduction tariff. I’d hope if either side had been in Champ next season Southampton would have had bigger negative points start to give both ‘victim’ sides a bigger head start.

Btw seriously can’t imagine it’s only 3 sides…

— Mancgas (@mancgas) May 22, 2026

A Tractor Boys fan stated: “From an Ipswich point of view, no. They got a 2 point deduction for it. That’s a proper application of the rules. We suffered no loss as we still got promoted.”

Another Ipswich supporter said: “Oxford can have our compensation. We don’t need any more money we have enough from getting promoted.”

Some U’s fans were more cut-throat than others, with one Facebook user saying: “If Southampton were disqualified then the league games should void too.”

And another wishing: “Southampton relegated and Oxford back into the Championship….we can dream.”

On the other hand, one supporter declared: “We won [the game against Southampton]…enough said.”

David Winnie, a footballer turned solicitor, played one match for Boro 33 years ago. He was part of a three-person panel which kicked Southampton out of the play-offs for spying on a Middlesbrough training session ahead of their semi-final first leg.

There has been some social media commentary over whether that link brought into question his independent status, but Winnie said on Friday: “The suggestion that a single appearance for Middlesbrough Football Club more than three decades ago could in any way influence my judgment as a member of an independent disciplinary commission is wholly without foundation.

“My involvement with the club consisted of one professional appearance approximately 33 years ago and has no bearing whatsoever on my ability to approach these proceedings impartially and objectively.

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert (left) and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola in discussion (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

“As with all commission members, my duty was to consider only the evidence, the applicable EFL regulations, and the submissions advanced by the parties. The decision reached was unanimous and followed detailed legal argument, documentary evidence, witness testimony and careful deliberation by an experienced independent panel.

“At no stage was any issue raised by either party regarding my independence or suitability to sit on the commission. Had there been any legitimate basis for concern, the appropriate procedures existed for that to be addressed before the hearing proceeded.

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“Professional integrity in these proceedings is paramount. My role was to uphold the integrity of the competition and apply the regulations fairly, without fear or favour, and that is precisely what the commission did.”

A fan in Camouflage. Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

The EFL has also been approached for comment.

The commission found Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert had authorised the spying mission at Boro, and earlier visits to training sessions held by Oxford United and Ipswich Town.

Winnie, the partner and head of sports at Gilson Gray LLP, acknowledged that the commission’s decision would have “serious ramifications” across football, but added: “The commission’s duty was not to consider popularity, reputation or consequence in isolation, but to uphold the integrity of the competition and apply the regulations fairly, independently and without fear or favour.

“The commission unanimously concluded that the conduct in question represented a deliberate and organised attempt to obtain a competitive advantage in breach of fundamental principles of sporting integrity and good faith.

“Football depends upon public trust. Supporters, clubs, players and stakeholders must have confidence that competitions are conducted on a level playing field.

“This outcome reflects the seriousness with which the commission viewed repeated breaches of the regulations, particularly within the context of one of the most financially and competitively significant competitions in English football. The message is clear: cheating, in any form, has no place in the game and will not be tolerated.”