Middlesbrough have lodged a formal complaint with the EFL on Thursday, alleging that a man believed to be a Southampton staff member was spying on training sessions ahead of the Championship play-off semi-final first leg between the teams, Sky Sports News understands.
EFL rules strictly prohibit opponents from spying on training sessions up to 72 hours before kick-off, and were introduced in response to the 2019 ‘Spygate’ scandal.
Seven years ago, Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted sending an agent to spy on Derby County, and Leeds were fined £200,000 following an investigation.
Boro will face Southampton in the first leg of the play-off semi-final at Riverside Stadium on Saturday lunchtime, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Sky Sports News understands that Boro staff spotted the man taking pictures and videos of him training and approached him. He was asked to remove them and reveal his identity and intentions for being there, at which point he allegedly fled to a nearby indoor portion of the training facility.
It is said that he then attempted to change his appearance before leaving Rockcliffe for good.
EFL Rule 127 relates to ‘Prohibited Conduct – Observation of Training Sessions’ and states: ‘Without prejudice to the requirement of Rule 3.4 (that each club shall act towards the 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 72 hours before a scheduled match between each club.’
Rule 3.4 states: “In all matters and dealings relating to the League, each Club shall act with the utmost good faith towards each other and towards the League.”
An EFL spokesperson said: “The EFL has written to Southampton FC seeking their views following a complaint from Middlesbrough FC regarding allegations of fraudulent photography that took place before the two clubs met in Saturday’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg.
“The alleged incident is said to have taken place on private property in Middlesbrough by an individual identified as having links to Southampton. The league is treating this matter as a possible case of misconduct under EFL regulations and will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Middlesbrough and Southampton have been contacted for comment.
“Spygate” version 2? Explaining what happened to Leeds in 2019
The last time a team was accused of spying on an opponent’s training was in January 2019 when Derby County claimed that Leeds United backroom staff were spotted watching training.
Leeds manager Bielsa later admitted that he had sent members of his coaching team to spy on Derby’s training sessions.
Leeds subsequently apologized, but the EFL found Leeds guilty of breaching rule 3.4. The rules state: “In all matters and transactions relating to the league, each club shall act in the utmost good faith towards the other club and the league.”
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Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa subsequently admitted his actions were unacceptable.
Leeds were fined £200,000 and disciplined by the EFL. As a result, Rule 127 was introduced.
EFL chief executive Sean Harvey said: “The sanctions imposed highlight just how unacceptable this type of behavior is and will serve as a clear deterrent to any club attempting to engage in misconduct in the future.”
