Southampton cite Leeds United case after Championship play-off expulsion | OneFootball

Southampton have cited Leeds United’s 2019 spying case as they respond to expulsion from the Championship play-offs after three charges of observing rival training. Chief executive Phil Parsons said in a statement that what happened was wrong and apologised.

The Saints were charged with watching sessions involving Oxford United, Ipswich Town and play-off semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, whom they beat 2-1 on aggregate. An independent disciplinary commission confirmed on Tuesday that Southampton were expelled from the end-of-season showpiece.

The saga has been dubbed Spygate 2.0, echoing 2019 when a member of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds staff was seen observing Derby County from a public footpath. Leeds were sanctioned for breaching rules on acting in good faith towards fellow EFL clubs.

A subsequent rule now bans clubs from watching opposition training within 72 hours of a scheduled match. Southampton admitted breaches of EFL Regulations 3.4 and 127, cooperated with the investigation, and intend to volunteer for a Championship working group on the application of Regulation 127.

The club accept a sanction but argue expulsion is disproportionate, contrasting it with Leeds’ £200,000 fine and saying the financial hit would be the largest penalty ever imposed on an English club by a very considerable distance, citing Luton’s 30-point deduction and Chelsea’s £10.75million fine. Their appeal is under review, with an outcome expected imminently, and as things stand Middlesbrough are due to face Hull City at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk