Southampton have been charged with a breach of EFL regulations after a member of staff was alleged to have spied on Middlesbrough’s training ahead of their play-off tie.
Sky Sports News understands Boro staff spotted a man taking pictures and videos of training and approached him.
He was asked to delete them, provide his identity and his intentions for being there, at which point he is said to have fled to a nearby indoor part of the training complex.
He is then said to have tried to change his appearance before leaving Rockcliffe entirely.
The EFL said in a statement: “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.
“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.”
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What edge could Southampton gain from alleged spying on Middlesbrough?
The breaches relate to EFL Regulations 3.4 and 127.
Regulation 3.4 states: “In all matters and transactions relating to the league, each club shall behave towards each other and the league with the utmost good faith.”
EFL rules strictly prohibit opponents spying on training sessions less than 72 hours before kick-off – a rule brought in following 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 in on “Prohibited Conduct – Observing Training Sessions”, which 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.”
Boro play Southampton in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at the Riverside Stadium at lunchtime on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Saturday 9th May 11:30am
Kick off 12:30pm
‘Spygate’ version two? What happened to Leeds in 2019 explained
The last time a team were accused of spying on opposition training came when Derby County claimed a member of Leeds United’s backroom staff had been spotted watching training in January 2019.
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Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa held a remarkable press conference where he detailed his analysis of opposition teams in a 70-minute PowerPoint presentation to journalists
Then Leeds boss Bielsa later admitted to sending a member of his coaching team to spy on Derby’s training session.
While Leeds subsequently apologised, the EFL found them guilty of breaching Regulation 3.4.
Leeds were fined £200,000 and were handed a reprimand by the EFL. As a result, rule 127 was introduced.
Then 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.”
