Southampton launch internal review into spying claims

Southampton have since requested more time to conduct an internal review Accused of espionage Championship play-off opponents at Middlesbrough.

The English Football League accused Saints of “observing or attempting to observe another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match” and of not treating the other club “in the utmost good faith”.

Middlesbrough claimed a member of the Southampton coaching staff A training session was watched and recorded The sides drew 0-0 in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at the Riverside Stadium two days earlier – at their Rockliffe Park base on Thursday.

South Coast clubs would normally have 14 days to respond to allegations, but the EFL has asked the Independent Disciplinary Commission to “hold a hearing at the earliest opportunity”.

The winners meet in the second leg at St Mary’s on Tuesday evening, facing Hull City in the final at Wembley on 23 May.

“The club is co-operating fully with the EFL and the Disciplinary Commission, with an internal review being carried out to ensure all information and context is correctly understood,” Southampton CEO Phil Parsons said.

“Given the intensity of the fixture schedule and the short turnaround between matches, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly.

“We understand the discussion and speculation that has followed in recent days, but we also believe it is important to establish the full context before drawing conclusions.”