Leeds United drawn into Southampton 'spygate' row after play-off expulsion | OneFootball

Leeds United have been pulled into Southampton’s escalating 'spygate' row as the Saints seek to overturn their expulsion from the Championship play-off final.

The BBC reports that Southampton’s lawyers intended to work overnight on Tuesday to appeal the EFL decision as quickly as possible.

Southampton consider the sanction exceptionally excessive and are using Leeds as precedent. In 2019 the Elland Road club were fined £200,000 for spying on Derby County during Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure.

Chief executive Phil Parsons has told staff the club believe their case can reverse Tuesday’s decision. Their legal work focuses on the EFL’s detailed reasoning, which lawyers were still receiving as they began the appeal.

All sides want the matter settled on Wednesday to keep Saturday’s Wembley final on track. The timeframe is tight, yet Southampton’s confidence remains clear.

There was no specific rule against watching an opponent when Leeds were caught observing Derby’s training seven years ago. That episode prompted the EFL to bring in Regulation 127, which punishes clubs who watch an opponent within the 72 hours before they meet. For Leeds, being cited in another club’s disciplinary fight is an unwelcome throwback.

Source: Leedsunited.news