A Southampton staff member who allegedly spied on Middlesbrough’s training sessions reportedly used his ATM card at a golf course owned by Boro chairman Steve Gibson.
Tonda Eckert’s team wait to learn their fate (Image: Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Southampton’s ‘Spygate’ saga has taken a new twist after it emerged that a suspected spy may have left behind clues. Southampton beat Middlesbrough on Tuesday night to reach the Championship play-off final, but their availability for the match at Wembley remains in doubt.
The Saints won 2-1 against St. Mary’s on a goal from Shay Charles late in overtime. They have qualified for the play-off final against Hull City on May 23, but there is still a chance they could be expelled by the EFL, with an independent disciplinary panel set to rule on the alleged breach of rules.
Boro claim a Southampton staff member was caught red-handed using a mobile phone to record a training session two days before the first leg, which ended 0-0. The Saints have said they are cooperating with the investigation, which is moving quickly to conclude well before the playoffs.
Middlesbrough are pushing for sporting sanctions and will continue training in the hope that the EFL will ban Saints from the play-offs as punishment if found guilty. Evidence was being collected in Middlesbrough and the nature of the incident became clearer on Wednesday afternoon.
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read more: Southampton Spygate scandal escalates as Middlesbrough send letter to EFL with new complaintsread more: Middlesbrough receive ‘new evidence’ in Spygate scandal, plan ahead for play-off final
The Daily Mail published a photo of alleged criminal William Salt, an intern member of Tonda Eckert’s staff. The photo shows Salt standing next to a tree on the sidewalk at the edge of Boro’s practice field, holding up his mobile phone.
The report also says Salt used a personal bank card to buy coffee at Rockliffe Hall Golf Club. The golf club is located behind the driving range and is owned by club president Steve Gibson.
This left the possibility that Middlesbrough could be tracked down on paper across the country for Southampton potentially cheating on other clubs during the season.
It remains to be seen how this story will end. Boro are seeking an expulsion from the play-offs and there is reportedly evidence to suggest this is not a one-off incident, although there is precedent for something less serious. Back in 2024, the Canadian Women’s Olympic team received a six-point deduction for using a drone to spy on New Zealand’s training.
William Salt (circled in the back) is a suspected spy (Image: Southampton FC)
The Saints are suspected of violating Rule 127, which makes it illegal to watch another club practice 72 hours before a match. The rule came into force after Leeds United spied Derby County in 2019.
Ahead of Tuesday’s second leg, Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons said in a statement: “The club is cooperating fully with the EFL and the disciplinary committee, while also conducting an internal review to ensure all facts and context are properly understood.”
“Given the tense fixture schedule and short turnaround between games, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly. While we understand the discussion and speculation that has ensued in recent days, we also believe it is important to establish the full situation before any conclusions are reached.”
Middlesbrough manager Kim Helberg furious at Southampton (Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“I’ve spent quite a bit of time around this football club so I know the character of the people there.”
Boro manager Kim Helberg, who became emotional after his team’s defeat, spoke about the time he spent preparing for matches this season, adding: “When it’s taken away from you like that, that’s when someone decides, ‘No, I’m not going to watch the whole game. Instead, I’m going to send someone in to film the session and watch everything and hope I don’t get caught.’ Maybe that’s why they were changing and stuff.”
“It breaks my heart for everything I believe in. That’s the problem. I don’t care if different countries have other rules. This is England, where football is the biggest thing. That’s how I feel about football. I think it’s a disgrace. It makes me very sad.”
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