SOCCER: Middlesbrough boss sympathetic towards Southampton fans, but happy with expulsion verdict

Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg is keen to put the "Spygate" scandal behind him ahead of facing Hull City in the Championship playoff final, a game that can put his team back in the Premier League for the first time in nine years.

Defeat by Southampton in the semi-finals had seemingly ended Middlesbrough's season, but Southampton were expelled from the final for spying on opponents throughout the season, including Middlesbrough ahead of their first-leg clash.

Middlesbrough, who last week called for Southampton to be banned from the final over the spying row, are now set to play Hull on Saturday at Wembley.

Hellberg said he had sympathy for Southampton fans who had bought tickets to the final, but insisted that the responsibility of what happened ultimately lay with the club.

-Iain Axon, Stefan Haskins/Reuters