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Saints charged by EFL with spying on Middlesbrough
TL;DR
Southampton has been charged by the EFL for spying on Middlesbrough before their Championship play-off semi-finals. A Saints analyst recorded Boro's training and was caught deleting the footage.
Key points
- Southampton charged by EFL for spying on Middlesbrough
- Analyst recorded Middlesbrough's training session
- Footage was deleted after being caught
- Middlesbrough filed a complaint with the EFL
- Case referred to an independent disciplinary commission
Mentioned in this story
Southampton Football ClubMiddlesbroughEFL
The English Football League has charged Southampton with spying on Middlesbrough before they meet in the Championship play-off semi-finals on Saturday.
BBC Sport has learned a Saints performance analyst recorded Boro training and taking pictures of tactics on Thursday morning.
The staff member was caught, deleted the footage and left the area, but the Teesside club were furious and later contacted the EFL.
"Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL regulations, and the matter will be referred to an independent disciplinary commission," read a statement released on Friday night.
"This follows a request from the EFL for the club's observations after a complaint from Middlesbrough relating to alleged unauthorised filming on private property ahead of the two clubs' meeting in Saturday's Championship play-off semi-final first leg."
Saints are accused of breaking two regulations:
EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith; and
EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any club from observing, or attempting to observe, another club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs.
"Under EFL regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges," the statement added.
"However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the independent disciplinary commission to shorten the response period and to list a hearing at the earliest opportunity."
The first leg of their semi-final takes place at Riverside Stadium on Saturday (12:30 BST), with the return at St Mary's on Tuesday.
The rule against spying was brought in seven years ago after Leeds United were fined £200,000 by the EFL for watching opponents train before matches.
A member of Leeds' staff was found acting suspiciously outside Derby's training ground before a fixture between the two sides on 10 January 2019.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa revealed he had sent a member of staff to watch training sessions of every team Leeds had played that season.
The EFL found Leeds breached rules over treating teams with "good faith".
Figure caption,
It's not the first time a team has been accused of spying...
Q&A
What were the allegations against Southampton regarding Middlesbrough?
Southampton was accused of spying on Middlesbrough by recording their training session without authorization.
What action did the EFL take against Southampton?
The EFL charged Southampton with a breach of regulations, and the case will be referred to an independent disciplinary commission.
What incident led to Middlesbrough's complaint against Southampton?
A Southampton performance analyst was caught filming Middlesbrough's training and was seen deleting the footage before leaving the area.
