The scenes this evening in Portswood are completely unacceptable. The Nowak family made a powerful call to us all yesterday to not let Henry’s death be used to create further division, hatred or tension. There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder. Those responsible can expect to face the full force of the law. I thank the police who have tonight shown great bravery and calm in the face of disgraceful violence directed at them.

Saints have started the refund of all tickets and official travel bought for the Championship play-off final, including booking fees. Looks like you don’t have to do anything, but it may take up to 10-14 working days due to volume. #SaintsFC

I defy anyone to sit and ponder the events that have led to a catastrophe for Saints without getting angry all over again. Cheating at all is bad enough, but it's an unforgivable misjudgment before a play-off game with club's future at stake. #SaintsFC dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints…

Back page of tomorrow's @dailyecho

🚨 Saints CEO Phil Parsons full statement: "We have appealed yesterday's decision by the Independent Disciplinary Commission to expel Southampton Football Club from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs, and to impose a four-point deduction for the 2026/27 season. Before turning to that appeal, I want to address our supporters, our players, and the wider football community directly and without equivocation. What happened was wrong. The club has admitted breaches of EFL Regulations 3.4 and 127. We are sorry to the other clubs involved, and most of all to the Southampton supporters whose extraordinary loyalty and support this season deserved better from the club. We have provided our full co-operation to the EFL's investigation and disciplinary process. Following the appeal, we will also be writing to the EFL to volunteer our participation in a working group on the practical application and enforcement of Regulation 127 across the Championship. Contrition without change is hollow, and we intend to demonstrate change. On the appeal itself: we accept that there should be a sanction. What we cannot accept is a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence. Whereas Leeds United was fined £200,000 for a similar offence, Southampton has been denied the opportunity to compete in a game worth more than £200 million and one which means so much to our staff, players and supporters. We believe the financial consequence of yesterday's ruling makes it, by a very considerable distance, the largest penalty ever imposed on an English football club. Luton Town's 30-point deduction in 2008/09 — to date the most severe sporting sanction in the English game — was levied against a club already in League Two, with no comparable revenue at stake. Derby County's 21-point deduction in 2021 cost them their Championship status. Everton's eventual six-point deduction in 2023/24 followed losses of £124.5 million, a figure dwarfed by what has been taken from Southampton in a single afternoon. The largest financial penalty ever levied by the Premier League, against Chelsea in March of this year, was £10.75 million, and was accompanied by no sporting sanction whatsoever despite involving £47.5 million in undisclosed payments over seven years. We say this not to minimise what occurred at this club, which we have accepted was wrong. We say it because proportionality is itself a principle of natural justice. The Commission was entitled to impose a sanction. It was not, we will argue, entitled to impose one that is manifestly disproportionate to every previous sanction in the history of the English game. Our appeal will be heard today, and we will provide a further update in due course." #SaintsFC

The Daily Echo front page tomorrow #saintsfc

Rare opportunity here to join the @dailyecho covering #SaintsFC and the wider sporting scene I’m looking for a top writer who is comfortable in front of a camera Apply here: careers.newsquest.co.uk/en/p…

The @dailyecho tomorrow #saintsfc

☎️ Wembley is calling, AGAIN! #SaintsFC

SAINTS INTO THE PLAY-OFF FINAL! 🔴⚪️ #SaintsFC

Middlesbrough were relegated from the Premier League for a controversial three-point deduction in 1997, under current owner Steve Gibson, for postponing a fixture at short notice. Ended two points from safety, having also lost both cup finals. #SaintsFC dailyecho.co.uk/sport/260945…

RT @metpoliceuk: Read the Commissioner's statement and latest incident update: news.met.police.uk/news/upda…

Most Tonda Eckert thing ever but his family are watching FA Cup semi-final at home because "there's no time" inbetween the game and starting to prepare for Ipswich on Tuesday. "I'm not the type to get too carried away," he added. True that. #SaintsFC dailyecho.co.uk/sport/260500…

The @dailyecho masthead looks a bit different today #SaintsFC

All police forces in England and Wales will be expected to answer phone calls from journalists under updated police media guidelines pressgazette.co.uk/news/brea…

Police agree to release mugshots for all custodial sentences dlvr.it/TRX9SM

Congratulations to @sdailyecho for being awarded winner of Scoop of the Year for 'Top cop quits amid probe into 'Affairs'', sponsored by @LewisSilkin, at the #RegionalPressAwards2026

This is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to get a start in journalism. DM me with any questions!

Worth reading every word bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgq…

For anyone who wants a catch up on the Shirley high street anti-social behaviour issue, you can see the Echo coverage here since April summed up in our timeline article from the start of the month More here: dailyecho.co.uk/news/2542185…