Middlesbrough v Southampton: EFL Saints charged after staff members allegedly spied on Boro training Football News

Southampton have been charged with breaching EFL rules after a member of staff allegedly spied on Middlesbrough training ahead of their play-off tie.

Sky Sports News Boro staff realized a man was taking photos and videos of 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.

The EFL said in a statement: “Southampton Football Club has today been charged with breaching EFL regulations and the matter will be referred to an independent disciplinary commission.

“It follows a request by the EFL for the club to monitor following complaints from Middlesbrough alleging unauthorized filming on private property ahead of the two clubs’ meeting in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

“Under EFL regulations, Southampton normally have 14 days to respond to allegations. However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to shorten the response period and schedule a hearing at the earliest opportunity.”

Violations relate to EFL Regulations 3.4 and 127.

Regulation 3.4 states: “In all matters and dealings relating to the League, each Club shall treat each other and the League with the utmost good faith.”

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.

EFL Rule 127 was brought up on “Prohibited Conduct – Observing Training Sessions”, which states: “Without prejudice to the requirement of Regulation 3.4 (that each club shall treat each other in the utmost good faith), no club shall directly or indirectly observe (or attempt to observe) any other club’s training schedule during the playing schedule 72. The respective club.”

Boro take on Southampton in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday lunchtime, live Sky Sports.

Southampton hit back at EFL charges

Southampton said in a statement: “Southampton Football Club acknowledges the statement issued by the EFL alleging a breach of EFL regulations.

“We can confirm that we will cooperate fully with the league throughout this process.

“Given the ongoing nature of the matter, the club is unable to make any further comment at this time.”

‘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.

Although Leeds later apologised, the EFL found them guilty of breaching Regulation 3.4.

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 to any club looking to misbehave in the future.”

‘Players won’t care about Spygate’

Curtis Davies was part of the Derby squad that were on the receiving end of the original ‘Spygate’ drama, but the former defender believes the situation will not affect the players going into the game.

“If I’m a player in the changing room, all I think about is going to the Premier League,” Davies said after Hull’s 0-0 draw against Millwall in the other play-off semi-final tie.

“I don’t care who Bush has in training. I just want to focus on the game, make sure we get the game plan right and win a few games to go to Wembley, then win.

“We’re talking about speeding up the process potentially. Do I care if the opposing team is fined £200,000, £500,000, £1m? It makes no difference.

“It’s just about looking at the game, not making any excuses about what happened. Let’s just focus on our job, get the job done on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Leicester City boss Gary Rowett suggested it could backfire on Southampton as he pointed out how Derby had beaten Leeds when the two teams later met in the play-offs.

“It actually gave the Derby team momentum and added motivation (in 2019) so, in some ways, it actually worked against the team trying to find an advantage,” he said.

“As everyone says, these games are big. If you’re on the field or you’re a manager, it’s a minor distraction in some ways. I don’t think it really makes much of a difference.”