Southampton ask for more time to review spying allegations ahead of Boro playoff

News

Martin Macdonald | Writer

Content writer covering football, formula 1 and movies

Southampton have requested more time to conduct an investigation after they were charged with spying on a training session of playoff rivals Middlesbrough.

After finishing fourth and fifth in the league, respectively, Southampton and Boro were drawn against each other in the Championship playoff semi-final. The first leg took place on Saturday and ended in a goalless draw, with the second leg set to take place on Tuesday evening.

Before the first leg, the Saints attempted to gain an advantage by sending a spy to record Middlesbrough's training but the perpetrator was quickly caught and the footage was deleted.

"Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL regulations, and the matter will be referred to an independent disciplinary commission," the EFL said in a statement on Friday.

"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.

"Under EFL regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges. 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."

Middlesbrough train in Rockliffe Hall in Hurworth-on-Tees, just outside Darlington. While other teams may have a training ground away from prying eyes, this one is in full view of the public as it's part of a luxury spa and golf resort built by club owner, Steve Gibson.

The Southampton performance analyst brazenly stood at the top of a small hill and began a video call, live streaming the Boro training before a Boro member of staff approached him.

He ran away, got changed in the dressing room inside the golf resort, and quickly left the premises.

However, CCTV and a description from the Boro member of staff allowed the perperator to be identified on Southampton's staff roster on their website.

The EFL has requested that the independent disciplinary commission fast-track the hearing "at the earliest opportunity," bypassing the south coast club's standard 14-day window to respond to the charges.

But, Southampton have requested more time to conduct their own internal investigation to allow them to respond.

"The club is fully co-operating with the EFL and the disciplinary commission, whilst also undertaking an internal review to ensure that all facts and context are properly understood," said Southampton CEO Phil Parsons.

"Given the intensity of the fixture schedule and the short turnaround between matches, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly.

"We understand the discussion and speculation that has followed over recent days, but we also believe it is important that the full context is established before conclusions are drawn."

This isn't the first time this has happened in the Championship, of course, as Leeds were famously fined £200,000 by the EFL after manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted that he had sent scouts to watch the training of every single one of Leeds' opponents in the 2018/19 season.