Middlesbrough made a formal complaint to the EFL on Thursday ahead of the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final between the two teams, alleging that a man believed to be a Southampton employee had spied on a training session. Sky Sports News I understand.
EFL regulations strictly prohibit opponents from monitoring training sessions within 72 hours before kick-off. This regulation was introduced following the “Spygate” incident in 2019.
Seven years ago, then-Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted sending 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. Sky Sports live broadcast.
EFL Rule 127 on “Prohibited Conduct – Observation of Training Sessions” states: It states: “Without prejudice to the requirements of Regulation 3.4 (each club shall treat each other with the utmost good faith), no club may observe (or attempt to observe), directly or indirectly, a training session of another club starting 72 hours before a match scheduled between each club.”
Rule 3.4 states: “In all matters and transactions relating to the League, each Club shall act towards each other and the League with the utmost good faith.”
An EFL spokesperson said: “The EFL has written to Southampton FC requesting observation following a complaint from Middlesbrough FC in relation to alleged unauthorized filming ahead of the two clubs’ meeting in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg on Saturday.
“This incident is said to have occurred at a private property in Middlesbrough by an individual identified as being associated with Southampton. The league is treating this matter as a potential offense under EFL regulations and will not be commenting further at this time.”
Middlesbrough and Southampton have been contacted for comment.
‘Spygate’ version 2? Explaining what happened in Leeds in 2019
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Leeds have admitted they spied on Derby training sessions ahead of the 2019 play-offs.
The last time a team was accused of spying on an opponent training was when Derby County claimed members of Leeds United’s backroom staff were seen watching training in January 2019.
Leeds boss Bielsa later admitted he had sent members of his coaching team to monitor Derby’s training sessions.
Leeds subsequently apologized, but the EFL found them guilty of breaching Rule 3.4, which states that ‘in all matters and transactions relating to the League, each Club shall act towards each other’s Club and the League with the utmost good faith’.
Leeds were fined £200,000 and reprimanded by the EFL. As a result, Rule 127 was introduced.
