Southampton face potential misconduct charge after spying alleged at Middlesbrough training ground ahead of Championship play-offs

The EFL have written to Southampton — Should also face a misconduct charge for having a hashtag built into their seats tbh (Image credit: Getty Images)

The EFL have asked Southampton for their 'observations' after Middlesbrough raised a complaint about alleged spying.

The two sides are set to go head-to-head in the Championship play-off semi-finals, with the first leg set to take place in Middlesbrough on Saturday lunchtime.

Middlesbrough make EFL complaint against Southampton

The Daily Mail report allegations that a member of Southampton's analyst team recorded Middlesbrough's training session 'from a bush' at Middlesbrough's Rockliffe Park training ground.

The claim is that after being caught, Middlesbrough asked him to delete videos and photos from his phone before ejecting him from the training ground.

Middlesbrough in action against Southampton in January — Middlesbrough claimed a 4-0 win over Southampton when the sides last met (Image credit: Getty Images)

There are specific EFL rules against spying, with the regulations prohibiting clubs from 'directly or indirectly observing (or attempting to observe) another club's training session in the period of 72 hours prior to any match'.

That rules was written into the regulations in 2019.

An EFL statement said: "The EFL has written to Southampton FC requesting their observations following a complaint from Middlesbrough FC relating to alleged unauthorised filming ahead of the two clubs meeting in Saturday's Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

"The alleged incident is said to have taken place on Middlesbrough's private property by an individual identified to be associated with Southampton.

"The League is treating this matter as potential misconduct under EFL regulations and will be making no further comment at this time."

Marcelo Bielsa to Leeds in 2019 — Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds watched the training sessions of every team they played in 2018/19 before Derby raised objections (Image credit: Getty Images)

This is, of course, not the first time a Championship side has been accused of spying - nor is it coincidental that the specific anti-spying rule was brought in in 2019.

Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds were fined £200,000 for watching opposition training sessions in 2018/19, which the then-manager openly admitted after a member of his staff was caught watching Derby County train.

At the 2024 Olympics, meanwhile, several members of staff from the Canada women's side were suspended after allegations they had spied on a training session held by upcoming opponents New Zealand.

The same year, Canada's men's team were alleged to have flown a drone close to a training session held by the Chilean national team ahead of the Copa America.

CONMEBOL imposed disciplinary measures, but FIFA did not uphold their own charge after an investigation.

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Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.