Middlesbrough vs Southampton: EFL charges Saints after member of staff was alleged to have spied on Boro training

Southampton have been charged with a breach of EFL regulations after a member of staff was alleged to have spied on Middlesbrough's training ahead of their play-off tie.

Sky Sports News understands Boro staff spotted a man taking pictures and videos of training and approached him.

He was asked to delete them, provide his identity and his intentions for being there, at which point he is said to have fled to a nearby indoor part of the training complex.

He is then said to have tried to change his appearance before leaving Rockcliffe entirely.

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The EFL said in a statement: "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.

"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."

The breaches relate to EFL Regulations 3.4 and 127.

Regulation 3.4 states: "In all matters and transactions relating to the league, each club shall behave towards each other and the league with the utmost good faith."

EFL rules strictly prohibit opponents spying on training sessions less than 72 hours before kick-off - a rule brought in following a "spygate" incident in 2019.

Seven years ago, then Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted sending a member of staff to spy on Derby County and Leeds were fined £200,000 following an investigation.

EFL rule 127 was brought in on "Prohibited Conduct - Observing Training Sessions", which states: "Without prejudice to the requirements of Regulation 3.4 (that each club shall behave towards each 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 period of 72 hours prior to any match scheduled to be played between those respective clubs."

Boro play Southampton in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at the Riverside Stadium at lunchtime on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

Southampton respond to EFL charge

Southampton said in a statement: "Southampton Football Club acknowledges the statement issued by the EFL in relation to alleged breaches of EFL Regulations.

"We can confirm that we will be fully cooperating with the League throughout this process.

'Spygate' version two? What happened to Leeds in 2019 explained

The last time a team were accused of spying on opposition training came when Derby County claimed a member of Leeds United's backroom staff had been spotted watching training in January 2019.

Then Leeds boss Bielsa later admitted to sending a member of his coaching team to spy on Derby's training session.

While Leeds subsequently apologised, the EFL found them guilty of breaching Regulation 3.4.

Leeds were fined £200,000 and were handed a reprimand by the EFL. As a result, rule 127 was introduced.

Then EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "The sanctions imposed highlight how actions such as this cannot be condoned, and act as a clear deterrent should any club seek to undertake poor conduct in the future."

'Players won't care about spygate'

Curtis Davies was part of the Derby squad that were on the receiving end of the original 'spygate' drama, but the former defender believes that the situation won't impact the players going into the game.

"If I'm a player in the changing room, all I care about is getting to the Premier League," Davies said following Hull's 0-0 draw against Millwall in the other play-off semi-final tie.

"I don't care who was in the bush watching training. I just want to concentrate on the game, make sure we've got the right game plan to go and win a couple of games to get to Wembley, then win that.

"We're talking about potentially speeding up the process. Do I care if the opposition team's been fined £200,000, £500,000, £1m? It doesn't make a difference.

"It's just about looking towards the game, not making any excuses about what's gone on. Let's just focus on our job, get the job done on the pitch."

Meanwhile, Leicester City boss Gary Rowett suggested it could backfire on Southampton as he referenced how Derby ended up beating Leeds when the two teams later met in the play-offs.

"It actually gave the Derby team momentum and extra motivation [in 2019] so, in some ways, it actually worked against the team that were trying to seek the advantage," he said.

"Like everyone says, these games are so big. It's a minor distraction in some ways if you're going out onto the pitch or you're a manager. I don't think it really makes too much difference."

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