{"id":32910,"date":"2026-05-08T23:24:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T23:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/08\/efl-slams-southampton-over-middlesbrough-spying-incident-ahead-of-play-off-showdown\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T23:24:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T23:24:34","slug":"efl-slams-southampton-over-middlesbrough-spying-incident-ahead-of-play-off-showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/08\/efl-slams-southampton-over-middlesbrough-spying-incident-ahead-of-play-off-showdown\/","title":{"rendered":"EFL slams Southampton over Middlesbrough ‘spying’ incident ahead of play-off showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/p>\n
\n
The EFL has released a statement after a Southampton club employee was spotted at Middlesbrough’s training ground just days before the Championship play-off semi-final.<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
May 8, 2026 22:07<\/span>Updated May 8, 2026 23:03<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Southampton charged by EFL (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Southampton have been charged by the EFL after a club employee was accused of spying on Middlesbrough during training ahead of a crucial play-off clash.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, a Saints club employee was spotted hiding in bushes at Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Park training center, apparently videotaping training sessions.<\/p>\n
After being spotted, they refused to identify themselves but deleted the videos and photos from their phones. The man in question then reportedly left the scene and headed to the Rockliffe Hall Hotel, where he changed clothes.<\/p>\n
Middlesbrough made an official complaint to the EFL about the incident, and the governing body subsequently launched an investigation. And now Southampton has admitted to the charges.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the EFL said: “Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL regulations and the matter will be referred to an independent disciplinary committee.<\/p>\n
read more: EFL investigates Southampton over Middlesbrough filming ahead of play-off semi-final<\/span><\/span>read more: EFL Championship Playoff Power Rankings, Premier League to watch<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Join us on Facebook! For the latest news, analysis and more on our Mirror Football Facebook page<\/p>\n
“This follows a request from the EFL to observe the club following a complaint from Middlesbrough regarding alleged unauthorized filming on private property ahead of the clubs’ meeting in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg. The charges relate to the following provisions:<\/p>\n
“EFL Rule 3.4 requires clubs to act towards each other in the utmost good faith and EFL Rule 127 prohibits any club from observing or attempting to observe another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs.”<\/p>\n
“Under EFL regulations, Southampton would normally have 14 days to respond to accusations. However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Panel to shorten the response period and hold a hearing at the earliest opportunity. The league will make no further comment while the case is ongoing.”<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Tonda Eckert tries to lead Southampton back to the Premier League (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Leeds United charged with spying for Derby County<\/p>\n
Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa subsequently admitted there was a conspiracy behind the plan, and the club was ultimately fined \u00a3200,000.<\/p>\n
Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive daily Mirror Football content. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+ and Ultimate TV packages<\/p>\n
\n
This article contains affiliate links and we receive a commission from any sales we generate from them. learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundles to include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, plus 135 channels and complete coverage of the Premier League and EFL from Sky.<\/p>\n
Sky has over 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more, with at least 215 of them live from the top flight, along with F1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"southampton\"](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37132474.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2270842407.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Tonda](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37132488.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2273682382.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"content](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33404045.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/)
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n