A DIEHARD Southampton fan found themselves out of pocket after travelling from Australia for the playoff final.
The Saints had booked their spot in the against after beating Middlesbrough over two legs.
Southampton were found to be spying on playoff rivals Middlesbrough Credit: Supplied
The Saints were booted out of the playoff final Credit: James Marsh
However, the club was due to the spygate scandal that consumed the over the last two weeks.
A was caught studying the Boro players in training and a firm punishment was handed out by chiefs.
The South Coast club’s spot in the final and they have been docked four points for the 2026-27 campaign.
But for one fan, the personal cost has been huge.
Ian Mcauley, 71, has been a Saints supporter for the last 64 years and made the trip from AUSTRALIA for the final in London.
He had booked two tickets for himself and his cousin at a cost of £3,449 to get to the match after the win over Boro.
His flight was scheduled for Wednesday evening before the final decision had been made.
But news of the Saints’ appeal being rejected broke during his 9,000-mile trip from Perth.
Ian Mcauley found out Southampton would not be at Wembley while flying over from Australia Credit: Getty
This meant he had only found out that Southampton had been kicked out of the final when he had landed.
Mcauley was thrilled at the prospect of going to the match at the home of , having moved to Australia 50 years ago.
But when he landed in Dubai ahead of his connecting flight, he turned on his phone to find dozens of messages revealing the heartbreaking news.
He told the BBC : “I left Perth Wednesday night at 10 and I landed in Dubai and a report came through from probably 20 different people saying the game was off.
“I’m not a very emotional person but it’s tough stuff because the players, the supporters have done nothing.
“To me, it looked like a witch hunt – there seemed to be a lot of people coming to the fore saying things to try and get us kicked out, for whatever reason.
“That was a bit of a shock, because Southampton has always been known, in my lifetime, as a club that does things right.
“It’s a club I’ve been extremely proud to be associated with for all my time.”
Southampton stars have with the turn of events at the club.
Some are said to be over loss of earnings and seeing if they can escape their contracts for a breach of trust.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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