Middlesbrough F.C. have called for Southampton F.C. to be removed from the Championship play-off final following allegations of spying ahead of their semi-final clash.

Southampton secured a place in the final after defeating Middlesbrough in extra time in the second leg of the semi-final and are scheduled to face Hull City A.F.C. at Wembley on May 23.

However, the English Football League has opened an investigation into claims that Southampton officials observed Middlesbrough’s training session at Rockliffe Park before the first leg of the tie.

An independent disciplinary hearing is expected to take place on or before May 19, although Middlesbrough will not be directly involved in the proceedings.

In a statement released on Friday, Middlesbrough described the alleged conduct as a serious breach of sporting integrity and fair competition.

“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,” the club said.

The Championship side insisted that the appropriate sanction would be to prevent Southampton from taking part in the play-off final.

Middlesbrough also urged the EFL to take strong disciplinary action to protect the credibility of the competition and deter similar incidents in the future.

The outcome of the hearing is expected to determine whether Southampton’s play-off final against Hull City A.F.C. will proceed as scheduled.