Southampton have launched an appeal against their expulsion from the Championship play-offs, describing the punishment handed down by an EFL independent disciplinary commission as "manifestly disproportionate to every previous sanction in the history of the English game."

The commission ruled on Tuesday evening that Southampton would be removed from the play-offs entirely, with Middlesbrough reinstated in their place. Middlesbrough are now scheduled to face Hull City in the play-off final on Saturday.

Alongside the expulsion, Southampton were handed a four-point deduction to be applied to their Championship account next season.

The club's appeal is set to be heard by an independent league arbitration panel later on Wednesday, giving the St Mary's side a narrow window to overturn the ruling before the final takes place.

In a formal statement, Southampton made clear that while they are bound by the process, they "cannot accept a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence."