EFL takes action after Southampton allegedly spied on Middlesbrough before play-off meeting

The English Football League (EFL) has charged Southampton with spying on Middlesbrough before their Championship play-off semi-final on Saturday. 

The Saints could face points deductions, fines or expulsion from the play-offs. 

The EFL released a statement that read: “Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.  

“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 Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg.”  

Middlesbrough claim they spotted a man taking pictures and videos of their training session at Rockliffe Park on Thursday morning. 

A Boro staff member approached the person and asked him to delete the pictures and provide his identity. 

He fled to the clubhouse next to the training ground, changed into new clothes, and left the area. 

Publicly accessible online profiles allegedly link the man involved to Southampton’s backroom staff.

The Saints are accused of breaching two regulations. 

Regulation 3.4 states that clubs must act towards each other with the utmost good faith. 

Regulation 237 prohibits any club from observing another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two. 

The rule against spying was introduced in 2019 after the EFL fined Leeds United for observing an opponent’s training sessions before matches. 

A Leeds staff member was caught observing Derby County’s training ahead of the Championship fixture between the two sides in January 2019. 

Manager Marcelo Bielsa later admitted responsibility for the operation, and Leeds were fined £200,000 for the breach.