Hull fans: Uncertainty over play-off final 'manifestly unfair'

The Hull City Official Supporters Club says ongoing uncertainty over the play-off final to reach the Premier League is “manifestly unfair” on fans.

Hull’s prospective Wembley opponents, Southampton, have been charged with spying on a training session held by Middlesbrough ahead of their semi-final and it is now unclear if the showpiece will take place as planned on May 23.

The English Football League (EFL) issued a statement on Thursday to say an independent commission hearing would take place by Tuesday but, with the possibility of appeals, did warn that “disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture.”

Supporters planning to attend the match are now in limbo, including those who have committed significant amounts of money on tickets, travel and accommodation.

A statement issued by Hull fans laid the blame at the EFL’s door for having no set punishment in place.

It read: “The Hull City Official Supporters Club are currently liaising with other supporters groups to register our concern over the possible moving of the play-off final with the EFL.

“This is a situation in which we have had no influence but in which we are, both as a football club and supporters, being penalised. Any decision to move the date of the final will result in many of our supporters not only losing out financially but then facing the prospect of being unable to attend the re-arranged fixture.

“Given that this is a situation which has largely resulted from the EFL’s own error in failing to publish the sanctions for a breach of the rule regarding “spying” on opposition teams we feel this is manifestly unfair.”

Both second-tier clubs shared ticket and travel information with their supporters on Thursday, with the sales process beginning on Friday. The two clubs have been allocated 35,984 tickets each.

Moving the match already looks problematic, with the following weekend ruled out due to Wembley hosting rugby league’s men’s and women’s Challenge Cup finals on May 30 and the Women’s FA Cup final the following day.

From the following weekend onwards, the stadium is given over to non-football events, such as Harry Styles’ 12 shows between June 12 and July 4.

Hull sporting director Jared Dublin maintains the club will just continue their own preparations for Wembley as everyone awaits the outcome of the EFL hearing.

“It is not a good look for football, not a good look for the EFL for sure, unfortunately. At this moment in time we’re preparing for Southampton, that’s all we can do,” Dublin told Hull Live.

“We don’t want to go to Wembley with any excuses on this, that, distraction, noise, so the message to the players, the message to the staff is ‘we’re preparing for Southampton away at Wembley and see what comes’.”