Hull City will face Middlesbrough in the Championship play-offs after Southampton was expelled for spying on opponents. Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic said his side have been 'collateral damage' in the drama. Southampton was thrown out of the play-offs on Tuesday after admitting they spied on three clubs, including play-off semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, across the season. The Tigers had been set to face the Saints for a place in the Premier League this weekend before they were expelled. Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside: 'We can say everything is unfair in this last two weeks. You don't know what's going on.' He added: 'If you look from a Middlesbrough point of view they knew if they were successful they would play against us so I can turn the situation around but I will not do that. We will try to beat them on the pitch.' The Football Association is now investigating Southampton's conduct and they have also been deducted four points for the start of the 2026-27 campaign. Jakirovic was asked if the events of the past 10 days had given him an extra incentive to win the game. He said: 'Of course, this is what we can do. It's in our power, we will try to win. It will be a demanding game. It will be difficult of course but we are in a good shape and good form. I hope we can win.' Like their opponents on Saturday, Hull are looking to end a nine-year spell without Premier League football.