Overview
- The EFL opened a disciplinary case after Middlesbrough reported that a Southampton staffer spied on its training on Thursday.
- The staffer was seen filming and taking photos near Middlesbrough’s practice field and, after being confronted, deleted the footage and left the site, according to multiple English reports.
- The EFL added the 72-hour training ban in 2019 after the Marcelo Bielsa–Leeds incident, which led to a £200,000 fine for Leeds for sending a scout to watch a rival session.
- Southampton confirmed the investigation and said it will fully cooperate, and an independent disciplinary commission will now consider the complaint with no decision announced yet.
- The allegation surfaced on the eve of the Championship play-off semi-final, part of the series that decides the third team promoted to the Premier League, with the final set for May 23 at Wembley.