Hull City may pursue legal action if Championship play-off final ends in defeat
Southampton's expulsion disrupts Hull's preparations
Hull City may consider legal action if they lose the Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The Yorkshire club was unexpectedly set to compete at Wembley after Southampton faced expulsion from the final due to spying offences.
Hull's owner, Acun Ilicali, expressed frustration at the disruptions to their preparations caused by Southampton's removal.
Southampton were expelled from the Championship play-offs for spying offences, which included observing Middlesbrough's training session.
The Hampshire club admitted to three spying charges and received a four-point penalty for next season.
Winger Leo Scienza described Southampton’s expulsion as “heartbreaking” and expressed that their fans deserved better.
Scienza posted on Instagram: “Disappointment, anger, sadness… It’s difficult to find the right words for what we’re all feeling right now."
Southampton's appeal against the sanctions was dismissed on Wednesday, denying them the chance for promotion to the Premier League.
Brazilian player Scienza also empathised with the fans of Hull and Middlesbrough, stating: "I feel sorry for every football fan, as well as the players and supporters of Hull and Boro, who were caught up in all of this chaos too."
Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons labelled the punishment as "manifestly disproportionate."
Additionally, Southampton great Matt Le Tissier urged the club to focus on restoring its reputation.
Southampton had originally sold more than 37,000 tickets for the play-off final.