EFL seeks observations from Southampton after alleged Middlesbrough training spy | 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 League says the alleged incident took place on Middlesbrough’s private property and it is treating the case as potential misconduct, with no further comment.

According to the Daily Mail, Middlesbrough staff confronted an individual at Rockliffe Park on Thursday morning. BBC Sport reported the person, said to be a Southampton performance analyst, deleted videos, refused to identify himself and changed clothes at nearby Rockliffe Hall Hotel.

The episode recalls Leeds United’s 2019 spygate, when the club were fined £200,000 after a staff member watched Derby County training from a public footpath. Marcelo Bielsa faced criticism then held an extraordinary 70 minute press conference detailing his analysis.

Promotion hero Luke Ayling was part of that Leeds side and has now allegedly been among those spied upon, with the claims centring on his current club Middlesbrough.

Regulations introduced after 2019 prohibit clubs from observing another team’s training within 72 hours of a match. Breaches can be sanctioned under EFL rules.

Leeds were punished under good faith provisions, and Bielsa said the club were fined but he paid the £200,000 himself.

The report said both clubs were approached for comment and neither had responded at the time of publication. Southampton visit the Riverside Stadium on Saturday lunchtime, with the return at St Mary’s on Tuesday. Millwall face Hull City in the other semi-final, with all four chasing promotion alongside Leeds.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk