Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Middlesbrough have made a formal complaint to the EFL that a man they believe to be a member of Southampton staff was spying on their training session on Thursday, ahead of the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final between the two sides. Sky Sports News understand
EFL rules strictly prohibit spying on opposition training sessions 72 hours before kick-off – a rule brought in after a “spygate” incident in 2019.
Seven years ago, then Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted sending a member of staff to spy on Derby County and Leeds were fined £200,000 following an investigation.
Boro play Southampton in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday lunchtime. Live on Sky Sports.
Sky Sports News understands Boro staff have been photographing and videoing a man training and approached him. He was asked to remove them, provide his identity and his purpose for being there, at which point he reportedly fled to an indoor area near the training complex.
She then reportedly tried to change her appearance before leaving Rockcliffe entirely.
EFL Rule 127 was brought up on “Prohibited Conduct – Observing Training Sessions”, which states: “Without prejudice to the requirement of Rule 3.4 (that each club treat each other with the utmost good faith), no club shall directly or indirectly observe (or attempt to observe) any other club’s scheduled training sessions played within the Schedule 72 of their respective clubs.”
Regulation 3.4 states: “In all matters and dealings relating to the League, each Club shall treat each other and the League in the utmost good faith.”
An EFL spokesman said: “The EFL have requested their monitoring of Southampton FC following allegations of unauthorized photography by Middlesbrough FC ahead of the two clubs’ meeting in Saturday’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg.
“The alleged incident is understood to have taken place on private property in Middlesbrough by a person identified as being associated with Southampton. The league is treating the matter as potential misconduct under EFL regulations and will have no further comment at this time.”
Middlesbrough and Southampton have been contacted for comment.
‘Spygate’ version two? What happened in Leeds in 2019 explained
The last time a team was accused of spying on opposition training was when Derby County claimed a member of Leeds United’s backroom staff was seen watching training in January 2019.
Then Leeds boss Bielsa later admitted that a member of his coaching staff had been sent to spy on Derby’s training sessions.
While Leeds later apologised, the EFL found them guilty of breaching Regulation 3.4 – which states: ‘In all matters and dealings relating to the League, each club shall treat each other club and the League with the utmost good faith.’
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Then Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa later admitted his behavior was unacceptable.
Leeds were fined £200,000 and given a reprimand by the EFL. Consequently, Rule 127 was introduced.
Then EFL chief executive Sean Harvey said: “The sanctions imposed highlight how such actions cannot be condoned and act as a clear deterrent should any club wish to behave badly in the future.
