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EFL issue statement after Middlesbrough report Southampton for alleged spying on training session

The EFL issue a statement after Middlesbrough report Southampton for alleged spying on a training session at Rockliffe Park.

According to Daily Mail Sport, Boro have caught a Southampton first-team analyst allegedly recording their training session from a bush.

The alleged spy was spotted and then approached by club staff on Thursday morning, 48 hours prior to the Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

Daily Mail say there have been claims that the spy deleted video and pictures from his mobile phone and refused to identify himself when confronted, ran off to Rockliffe Hall Hotel, owned by Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson, then changed his clothing in a toilet and left the area.

Boro are understood to have captured the incident on their CCTV, according to people familiar with what happened, speaking on condition of anonymity.

EFL issued a new statement on Friday:

Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.

This follows a request from the EFL for the Club’s observations after a complaint from Middlesbrough relating to alleged unauthorised filming on private property ahead of the two Clubs meeting in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg.

The charges relate to the following Regulations:

EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires Clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith; and  

EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any Club from observing, or attempting to observe, another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two Clubs.  

Under EFL Regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges. However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to shorten the response period and to list a hearing at the earliest opportunity

The League will make no further comment whilst proceedings are ongoing.

Southampton FC have said: “SFC acknowledges the statement issued by the EFL in relation to alleged breaches of EFL Regulations. We can confirm that we will be fully cooperating with the League throughout this process. Given the ongoing nature of the matter, the club is unable to comment any further at this time.”

It’s Spygate all over again, having last saw something like this back in 2019, during Marcelo Bielsa’s time at Leeds when he got a colleague to snoop on Derby County’s training ahead.

Leeds were fined £200,000 and reprimanded by the EFL after admitting a breach of Regulation 3.4, which states: ‘In all matters and transactions relating to the League, each club shall behave towards each other club and The League with the utmost good faith.’

EFL chief executive, Shaun Harvey, said: ‘The sanctions imposed highlight how actions such as this cannot be condoned and act as a clear deterrent should any club seek to undertake poor conduct in the future.’

As reported by Sky Sports, EFL rule 127 on “Prohibited Conduct – Observing Training Sessions”, states: “Without prejudice to the requirements of Regulation 3.4 (that each Club shall behave towards each other Club with the utmost good faith), no Club shall directly or indirectly observe (or attempt to observe) another Club’s training session in the period of 72 hours prior to any match scheduled to be played between those respective Clubs.”

Regulation 3.4 says: “In all matters and transactions relating to the league, each club shall behave towards each other and the league with the utmost good faith.”

An EFL spokesperson has said: “The EFL has written to Southampton FC requesting their observations following a complaint from Middlesbrough FC relating to alleged unauthorised filming ahead of the two Clubs meeting in Saturday’s Championship Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg.

“The alleged incident is said to have taken place on Middlesbrough’s private property by an individual identified to be associated with Southampton. The League is treating this matter as potential misconduct under EFL Regulations and will be making no further comment at this time.”

Here’s the social media reaction as the EFL issue a statement after Middlesbrough report Southampton for alleged spying on their training session…

@0161Darren: What is going on in football today man

@SomersetSaint7: I’m calling bullshit on this until it’s factual. It’s not us to do such a thing. If we have as a fan I’m incredibly disappointed.

@james_ketchell: If we did do it then mighty stupid to let one of our own employees do it. I’m sure there are people you could pay to do who weren’t directly linked to Saints. Seems really odd to me.

@beatlesaint: The club have access to all 46 league matches Boro have played so why the hell would you bother hiding in bushes watching a training session? I really hope this isn’t true cos we should be better than that.

@lufcjt_: luke ayling has been on both ends of a spygate now 🤣🤣🤣

@nrmarwood: £200,000 fine incoming yes? And I take it there will also be a national outrage?

@GOGSGOYS: Leeds were handed a 200k fine and publicly lambasted for weeks for not breaking any rules. I expect that Southampton having broken the rules that were put in place after “spygate” will be sufficiently fined and subjected to the same public debacle?…

@LeedsShirts13: I want a fucking massive deal made of this. National news, interviews or owners and manager. Papers, TV, the lot. Fine for the club. Points deductions considered? All happened last time.

@Project_Boro: Seriously though. That’s the just written Hellbergs team talk. Riled up the Boro fan base even more, it’ll motivate the players even more. They’re gunna walk into an absolute cauldron now on Saturday. Siege mentality at the Riverside. 💪

@BoxingShrew: Remember Bielsa calling a presser after he got caught doing it. Everyone thought he was resigning but he just doubled down on why he does it, how he does it, and how long he’s done it for- spreadsheets and everything 😂

@swinnybottom: When Leeds spied on Derby they got fined 200k. Derby where probably motivated by it and beat Leeds 4-3 in the playoffs. Let’s hope it’s an omen

Featured photo credit – @John_Sconner

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