Southampton are under investigation for allegedly spying on Middlesbrough ahead of the play-off semi-finals between the sides. The English Football League has received a complaint from Boro over allegations of unauthorised filming by someone associated to Southampton during a training session.
The EFL said the alleged incident was being considered as “potential misconduct” under its regulations. An EFL spokesperson said: “The EFL has written to Southampton requesting their observations following a complaint from Middlesbrough relating to alleged unauthorised filming ahead of the two clubs meeting in Saturday’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg.
“The alleged incident is said to have taken place on Middlesbrough’s private property by an individual identified to be associated with Southampton.
“The League is treating this matter as potential misconduct under EFL regulations and will be making no further comment at this time.”
The sides will face off at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, with the second leg at St Mary’s on Tuesday. Southampton secured their play-off spot with a fourth-place finish in the Championship, while Boro ended up one position below them on goal difference after both clubs accumulated 80 points.
The alleged incident draws comparisons to the ‘spygate’ scandal involving Leeds, with then manager Marcelo Bielsa admitting to dispatching a spy to Derby’s training ground ahead of their 2-0 victory over the Rams in January 2019.
The Argentine was met with fierce condemnation and responded by delivering a lengthy press briefing detailing his coaching methods. The EFL handed down a £200,000 fine for breaching its ‘good faith’ regulations, while simultaneously introducing a new rule barring clubs from observing one another’s training sessions within 72 hours of a fixture. Bielsa paid the fine out of his own pocket.
Middlesbrough declined to comment. Southampton have also been contacted for comment by the Press Association.