Saints players have been let down - and many futures at the club are now uncertain

SAINTS players should have had their final day off today before heading to Wembley for the Championship play-off final against Hull on Saturday.

Instead, they reported to Staplewood on Thursday morning to discuss what happens next, after they were booted from the competition.

Head coach Tonda Eckert is reported to have conducted a meeting with players at 11am, just 14 hours after the verdict of their spygate appeal.

Saints, having admitted to spying on three opponents, were removed from the play-offs on Tuesday and handed a four-point deduction for next season.

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.#SaintsFChttps://t.co/lt5OX2Kn5D

— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) May 21, 2026

A League Arbitration Panel upheld those punishments on Wednesday, as Saints unsuccessfully sought to reduce the severity of their penalty.

Decisions made by a few at the club have cost thousands of people and millions of pounds. Saints say they will respond with accountability.

First, there are the impending exits, the players whose futures were already up in the air, but they at least had some control over their destiny.

It now appears highly unlikely that goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, on loan from Bayern Munich, will stick around for another season in the Championship.

Saints have an option to buy Bayern Munich loanee Daniel Peretz. (Image: Stuart Martin)

READ: FA confirm they have opened investigation into Saints regarding 'Spygate'

The Israeli international has transformed the Saints defence and previously hinted that a permanent move was dependent on going up.

Fellow loanee Cyle Larin, who plundered nine goals in 22 games, stood to join the club permanently upon promotion to the Premier League.

Ross Stewart is tied to a contract due to expire at the end of the season, and while Saints have an option to extend, they would have preferred to renegotiate terms.

The Scottish forward is off to the World Cup, and could well put himself in the shop window and gain a move away from the circus at St Mary's.

James Bree, who, by his own admission, would love to remain at Saints, is also on a deal that runs out this summer. Will he still feel the same after all of this?

James Bree has not lost a league game since returning to Saints. (Image: Stuart Martin)

READ: Saints begin refunding fans for play-off tickets and official travel

And then there are the players who have proven they are too good for this level that will need to be sold to make up for lost revenue.

Leo Scienza, Caspar Jander, Shea Charles and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are the first four that jump to mind. Others will also desire to play top-flight football.

Exits would have been on the cards had Saints fallen short against Hull, but failing to earn promotion cannot be pinned on the players in the slightest.

Some have already started to release statements on social media. Scienza and Kuryu Matsuki were the first, posting within hours of the appeal verdict.

Many have suggested that those statements, which thanked and sympathised with fans, read like goodbye messages. Whether they are or not remains to be seen.

Leo Scienza (right) was the first to speak on Southampton's play-off expulsion. (Image: Stuart Martin)

READ: 'You deserved better' - Scienza becomes first player to speak out on Saints expulsion

But could you really blame any player who would want to leave after this mess? Reports suggest they are furious and considering their legal options.

Fans have also been robbed of the opportunity to say goodbye to some of the players they have invested time and money to support.

Those very players put together division-winning form to climb from 21st to fourth and earned a one-off game for promotion.

All of their hard work has been undone by disastrous decision-making.