EFL requests observations in alleged spying case as Marcelo Bielsa spygate echoes | OneFootball

The EFL has written to Southampton requesting observations after Middlesbrough complained of alleged unauthorised filming before Saturday’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

The Daily Mail reports that Middlesbrough staff confronted a man they believed was linked to Southampton at Rockliffe Park on Thursday morning as he watched preparations. The report added he deleted videos, refused to identify himself and changed clothes at nearby Rockliffe Hall Hotel.

The episode echoes Leeds United’s 2019 ‘spygate’, when Marcelo Bielsa’s side were fined £200,000 after a staff member was seen watching Derby County training from a public path.

Promotion hero Luke Ayling was in that Leeds squad and is now with Middlesbrough, who allege they were spied on this week.

The incident is said to have taken place on Middlesbrough’s private property and is being treated as potential misconduct under EFL regulations, with no further comment at this stage.

If Southampton are found guilty, punishment could follow under the post-2019 rule that no club may observe another’s training within 72 hours of a match.

Southampton visit the Riverside on Saturday lunchtime, with the return at St Mary’s on Tuesday. Millwall and Hull City contest the other semi-final as all four teams aim to join Leeds in the Premier League.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk