SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Southampton is Paid He is suspected of spying on Middlesbrough’s training sessions ahead of the team’s match in the Championship play-offs.
Southampton said in a statement on Tuesday that it was “fully co-operating” with English football authorities, who were charged with breaching rules on Friday following allegations of unauthorized filming of Middlesbrough training.
The English Football League has asked an independent disciplinary committee to hold a hearing “at the earliest opportunity”.
The teams drew 0-0 in Saturday’s play-off semi-final first leg, with the return match to be played at Southampton on Tuesday. The winner will face Hull in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium on May 23, with Premier League qualification and at least 200 million pounds ($270 million) in future earnings at stake.
Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons said in a statement: “The club is cooperating fully with the EFL and disciplinary committee, as well as conducting an internal investigation 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.”
Mr Parsons said he was confident the club would remain united during the dispute.
“Our focus is fully on tonight’s game,” he wrote. “Now is the time for all of us to support our team and create a special atmosphere at St. Mary’s.”
The EFL said the charges against Southampton related to rules that require clubs to “act with each other in the utmost good faith” and prohibit clubs from “observing or attempting to observe another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match” between teams.
This is the second spying controversy to affect the championship in recent years.
In 2019, EFL fines Leeds A reward of £200,000 ($259,000 at the time) for spying on Derby’s training sessions ahead of a match between the teams.
Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds’ manager at the time, accepted responsibility for having club officials spy on Derby training.
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